2001 Passat error and forced power reduction
 

We own a 2001 Passat that has served well for 205,000 miles. In the last couple days my wife is getting a dashboard code indication of "ECT error" along with the more or less constant check engine light. With this new error comes reduced engine power that a VW dealer said is controlled and made to happen by the ECU. What are the probable causes of such a code and what might the problem be? We have not checked for the actual error codes and I never have done that having never had a problem that required us to look for them. Dealer service writer says "I can't tell you that you can safely drive the car here ,cannot guarantee that you will not damage something". Can anyone explain what could be happening or what parts may have failed to cause this dashboard code to appear? Obviously the car is no longer worth a big repair payout. Thanks, appreciate any ideas, clues, things to look for or ask that fellow VW owners provide us here.