01 a6 2.8 code p0117 coolant temp sensor. been havin tought starts after car sits for a while. i noticed this has came up many times in forum with no answer back to if the sensor throws it off for starting or if it was somethin else. im gonna change sensor either way for what its worth , just curious if there could be something else. any input is helpful ty

 

If the sensor is reporting the wrong temp, then the ECU is trying to start a cold engine it thinks is hot, and he mixtures are completely wrong. This makes it hard or impossible to start (like not putting on the choke on a cold carburetted engine).
Also, most year/model Audis have two actual sensors incorporated into the engine; one for the dash display and a separate one for the ECU. This can confuse people into thinking the "sensor" is OK because the dash shows cold when the engine is cold...
Jim

 

^^^
this

and if you are getting a code for the sensor, it is very likely the sensor that is causing your issues. it is a pretty common problem on vehicles of our particular "vintage". changing out the sensor is pretty straighforward, does require a bit of nimble hand work but by far not the most inconvenient job.

good luck

 

changed out sensor a few days ago. was a little tight not bad . coolant was leaking right through. all has been good so far. eejimm good explanation!!