Dashboard Temp gauge faulty
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4
Dashboard Temp gauge faulty
I have a bog standard 1997 Audi A3 1.6.
The temperature gauge rarely moves on the dashboard. I assume it's either the sensor switch or the thermostat.
I want to change the sensor first to save myself some money. Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to locate it within the engine compartment and replace it?
The temperature gauge rarely moves on the dashboard. I assume it's either the sensor switch or the thermostat.
I want to change the sensor first to save myself some money. Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to locate it within the engine compartment and replace it?
Last edited by roscoe141; Jul 19, 2010 at 12:26 PM.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 87
From: northwest florida
Will be interesting if the OP can share their results if any.
My temp gauge has started this. Noticed the gauge would sometimes bump a fraction when the engine was started but not go any higher. Later the gauge would suddenly display normal temp. I had checked for water/coolant level & appearance and located the water temp sensor on the motor. Last time it happened I connected my code reader and went to the active data screen. My water temp rose to 165-170 degrees F and stayed there. I then wiggled the temp sensor/wiring into it and it has worked since. Figure I will be replacing the temp sensor sometime in the future!
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
I will chime in here, was just looking for info on this and didn't want to start a thread.
Will be interesting if the OP can share their results if any.
My temp gauge has started this. Noticed the gauge would sometimes bump a fraction when the engine was started but not go any higher. Later the gauge would suddenly display normal temp. I had checked for water/coolant level & appearance and located the water temp sensor on the motor. Last time it happened I connected my code reader and went to the active data screen. My water temp rose to 165-170 degrees F and stayed there. I then wiggled the temp sensor/wiring into it and it has worked since. Figure I will be replacing the temp sensor sometime in the future!
Will be interesting if the OP can share their results if any.
My temp gauge has started this. Noticed the gauge would sometimes bump a fraction when the engine was started but not go any higher. Later the gauge would suddenly display normal temp. I had checked for water/coolant level & appearance and located the water temp sensor on the motor. Last time it happened I connected my code reader and went to the active data screen. My water temp rose to 165-170 degrees F and stayed there. I then wiggled the temp sensor/wiring into it and it has worked since. Figure I will be replacing the temp sensor sometime in the future!
My OBD scanner popped up P2181, which I believe is for the Performance Malfunction in Cooling System.
I rescanned and B3800, B2800 & B2000 showed up.
I'm not sure what these fault codes are for?
Can anyone help.. please?
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 212
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 87
From: northwest florida
I did not have a CEL. Code reader did return a P2181 "cooling system performance" code.
Looked in the manual and didn't find much help on what would trigger it but no codes showing now and temp gauge is still working as expected.
Looked in the manual and didn't find much help on what would trigger it but no codes showing now and temp gauge is still working as expected.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 87
From: northwest florida
Not sure what you have there. My manual only lists P and a small number of U codes, none starting with B.
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Thanks for the link 01 Avant.
Taking it in to get looked at this weekend. Hopefully, it will be fixed for good.