Ok, I've got a really strange problem...thought you guys might be able to help out a little bit.

I've got a '96 Audi A6, and I absolutely love it. However, it's had some problems. I've recently had to have the head gaskets replaced. I mention this only because before I did, I was getting overheating warnings, so now that I'm getting a similar warning, I thought it might be pertinent.

Anyway, when I first start my car up in the mornings, the overheating alert goes off...it stays on for about 5 minutes, then turns off, and doesn't turn back on, except occasionally when I do a hard corner. The temperature gauge never goes over what I've been taught is the "acceptable" temperature, and the oil temperature doesn't even get close. Both of them hit the red pretty hard when my head gaskets needed to be replaced.

I'm in Utah, and it's been FREEZING. I've had a hard time believing that my car could be overheating 20 seconds after starting it up, and no longer overheating once it was warm.

In addition, I think I need powersteering fluid...not sure if that's at all related, but couldn't hurt to mention it.

Hope you guys have some idea what might be the problem.

 

sounds like the temp sender unit has gone awol and sending the wrong signal to the ecu.

 

Besides the sensor, is there enough coolant in the system? Are you sure there are no air bubbles?

Check the sensor first.

There is no way you can can be that hot when first turned on in the morning.