Ok, so when I brought my friends car back home, there was a light that came on a couple times on the dash that looked like this (its a 1991 TSI AWD):
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/296232warning.JPG
It wasnt on when we first test drove it, but when we got out on the highway it cam on after a while. It didnt come back on right away after stopping, but would come back on pretty soon. It was a pretty warm day, my completely uneducated guess is heat soaked SMIC. Any ideas? Thanks guys!

That light is a coolant warning light meaning you're low on coolant (although it looks like a house) If the coolant level is ok check the sensor in the bottom of the overflow tank (careful not to mess up the rubber seal) Keep an eye on the temp too.

Ok, thanks man. I did keep an eye on all the guages and they all were fine, no overheating or anything.