Temperature Gauge Going Up & Down

[Adam A41.8T]

Hi All!

I am new on here and looking for some help.

I have an Audi A4 1.8T sport Quattro on a 2003 "52" plate and the temperature gauge keeps going up and down. It used to sit at 90 degrees but now it either doesnt move from 50 or keeps going up and down between 50 and 90. I can hear the fan coming on too every so often even after I have just started the car. I have checked the coolant level which is fine so I am guessing that it must be something else.

Can anyone help?


Thanks,
Adam

[avint]

Hi Adam,

I reckon its more than likely to be your temperature sender. It sits in a housing at the back of the engine just in front of the scuttle panel. They are a common fault on these models. Try replacing that which should do the job.

Cheers

Ad

[Adam A41.8T]

Thanks Ad,

Just being completely dumb. Can I change this myself? And is it easy to do?


Thanks,
Adam

[broon1982]

hi adam

im experiencing the exact same prob with my 1.8t. think this must be quite common on these cars. i dont think there is actually a problem with the operating temperature of the engine having had this checked myself. i suspect a fault with the temperature sensor / sender unit.

hopefully someone can help us out.

all the best
L

[Adam A41.8T]

I just dont like the way that the radiator fan is coming on after about 2 minutes of starting the car from cold.

Can anyone also give me a price for doing this. I am kind of glad that it is not just my car then although it is annoying!!

[avint]

it is a very common problem on these and most should have been replaced. Audi do advise that even if they havent gone wrong to replace them and in turn it will initiate your fans coming on as this is programmed in when the engine gets hot or overheats.

As for doing the job is quite fiddly but fairly simple. Ill see if i can get some pic diagrams up for you..

Ad

[Adam A41.8T]

Ok thanks Ad. That is great.

Do you know how much they cost? I would leave it but I dont want to risk it if something else should go wrong further down the line and I wouldnt notice.

Thanks,
Adam

[avint]

Cost wise i think they are actually only about £10 and i would probably get it done sooner rather than later. Its worth checking for any sludge or consistency of the coolant, its rare as but it has been known for them to block up...

Hope this helps

Ad

[Adam A41.8T]

Ok thanks Ad,

The coolant looks fine. It was only serviced 2 months ago by Audi and they did all the fluids then.

So I can get one for £10 and get it fitted soon. Where is the best place to buy them from?

Cheers
Adam

[avint]

you could try the below...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-Golf-Beetle-AUDI-A3-A4-A6-Temperature-Sender-GENUINE_W0QQitemZ400049114447QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK _CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item400049114 447&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

id also recommend changing your thermostat while your there.

Just ring up any local parts company or even audi are probably likely to be the same price because these are relatively small parts...

If you lived anywhere near bedfordshire i could put you in touch with a Volkswagen/Audi/Seat etc etc specialist. He is a good friend of mine and has his own garage and would charge about £5 to fit it... He also has all the same diagnostic equipment that VW Audi use and was a senior technician and workshop manager for over 18 years for both.

[Adam A41.8T]

Ah really? I work in Milton Keynes during the week so I am not far away at all.

I cant get on ebay at work but I will have a look tonight. Thanks for your help. How much is the thermostat?

Thanks,
Adam

[avint]

Again not much at all probably about £10.

If your from around that way his place is in kempston. I live in bicester now but used to live in mk.

[Adam A41.8T]

Ok. If I could have his details that would be great. It is only about 20 minutes or so from here I think

[avint]

Ok his name is Mark Eldridge - website below - contact number is 01234 216 499

http://www.blackridgeautos.com/home.html

[Adam A41.8T]

That is great. I will give them a call next week. Thanks for your help!

[highlandspud]

Hi All!

I am new on here and looking for some help.

I have an Audi A4 1.8T sport Quattro on a 2003 "52" plate and the temperature gauge keeps going up and down. It used to sit at 90 degrees but now it either doesnt move from 50 or keeps going up and down between 50 and 90. I can hear the fan coming on too every so often even after I have just started the car. I have checked the coolant level which is fine so I am guessing that it must be something else.

Can anyone help?


Thanks,
Adam hi there i know this is an old thread but i thought i should ad this. after 2 weeks of trying to suss out my temp gauge problems (audi 1.8t B6 quattro) i finally found my problem. all you see on these threads is 'coolant temperature control sensor'. which i have to say is a common fault and had one go on my old car but after replacing 4 on this one i had to assume it was something else. without a wiring diagram i followed the wires back through the loom to check for abrasion. all fine! so took the dash off under the steering wheel just 3 wee bolts. managed to disconnect the plug behind the gauge this is one of these that has a 'lever' type sercuring thingy. (i believe thats the official name for it), the lever is on either side of it and pulls out and down the way. took this off and cleaned with contact cleaner, and it worked. although sometimes it plays up again and if i pull slightly on the plug it works again. (btw you need to reset the gauge with ignition off by pulling out the fuse for the instrument cluster) if your symptoms are like mine. the gauge moves up a few clicks when you turn ignition on and then another few when you turn it off and so on until its stuck on max. then this is more like a wiring issue. dont know if the connection behind the gauge is a common fault or not but this is the fault on mine for sure. also be aware that re setting the dials using the fuse will probably register a fault code but it shouldnt put the engine light on. so if this is the symptoms your getting and the car otherwise runs normally i would suspect a wiring issue.