Is this normal for cold weather?
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,716
From: New York
Is this normal for cold weather?
I started my car this evening when I got out of work and a thermometer with a squiggly line under it popped up...
I pushed the system check button and the screen said turn engine off check coolant level.
So I did, and it was full. I started my car back up and it was gone.
My question is should I expect more things like this to happen as the weather gets colder?
Do I need to get something checked out?
Is it infact the cold weather causing this to happen?
Any insight you guys have would be great! : )
I pushed the system check button and the screen said turn engine off check coolant level.
So I did, and it was full. I started my car back up and it was gone.
My question is should I expect more things like this to happen as the weather gets colder?
Do I need to get something checked out?
Is it infact the cold weather causing this to happen?
Any insight you guys have would be great! : )
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,436
From: San Diego & Santa Cruz, CA
RE: Is this normal for cold weather?
It's the coolant level sensor on the overflow tank that is giving you a false signal. What year/how many miles on your car? I had a similar problem and was able to clear it up with a flush and fill of the coolant, YMMV. The other option is to replace the coolant overflow tank with a new one.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,716
From: New York
RE: Is this normal for cold weather?
2000 1.8T 180hp Quattro 59 and change as far as mileage.... Timing belt to be done very soon.
Edit: What does YMMV stand for? : /
Hopefully when they are finally get my car into the shop I can tell them to do a coolant flush and check the sensor.
Unless their is an easier way for me to this. What kind of fluid? Anyway to flush it myself?
I do have a lift in my garage so that wouldn't be a problem...
Plus I'm pretty handy I've changed alternators, brakes, fuel pumps, ect on my pervious car.
This seems simple enough for me to handle
Edit: What does YMMV stand for? : /
Hopefully when they are finally get my car into the shop I can tell them to do a coolant flush and check the sensor.
Unless their is an easier way for me to this. What kind of fluid? Anyway to flush it myself?
I do have a lift in my garage so that wouldn't be a problem...
Plus I'm pretty handy I've changed alternators, brakes, fuel pumps, ect on my pervious car.
This seems simple enough for me to handle
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,436
From: San Diego & Santa Cruz, CA
RE: Is this normal for cold weather?
ORIGINAL: ouTTie914
2000 1.8T 180hp Quattro 59 and change as far as mileage.... Timing belt to be done very soon.
Edit: What does YMMV stand for? : /
Hopefully when they are finally get my car into the shop I can tell them to do a coolant flush and check the sensor.
Unless their is an easier way for me to this. What kind of fluid? Anyway to flush it myself?
I do have a lift in my garage so that wouldn't be a problem...
Plus I'm pretty handy I've changed alternators, brakes, fuel pumps, ect on my pervious car.
This seems simple enough for me to handle
2000 1.8T 180hp Quattro 59 and change as far as mileage.... Timing belt to be done very soon.
Edit: What does YMMV stand for? : /
Hopefully when they are finally get my car into the shop I can tell them to do a coolant flush and check the sensor.
Unless their is an easier way for me to this. What kind of fluid? Anyway to flush it myself?
I do have a lift in my garage so that wouldn't be a problem...
Plus I'm pretty handy I've changed alternators, brakes, fuel pumps, ect on my pervious car.
This seems simple enough for me to handle
Since you are going for the TB change that should take care of it. You have to drain and replace the coolant anyway. Just keep an eye on the coolant level until then. The light is nothing more than a warning, you are not doing any damage.
YMMV = Your Mileage May Very
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,942
From: Constant State of Confusion
RE: Is this normal for cold weather?
ORIGINAL: ouTTie914
Plus I'm pretty handy I've changed alternators, brakes, fuel pumps, ect on my pervious car.
This seems simple enough for me to handle
Plus I'm pretty handy I've changed alternators, brakes, fuel pumps, ect on my pervious car.
This seems simple enough for me to handle
Marry me, beautiful!
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,716
From: New York
RE: Is this normal for cold weather?
LMAO!!!
Well that's a first! You guys crack me up! [sm=icon_rofl.gif]
But to answer your question... Yes I am a Nurse and I do infact work on cars when I can.
I don't get much time to do anything fun though... damn double shifts!
Well that's a first! You guys crack me up! [sm=icon_rofl.gif]
But to answer your question... Yes I am a Nurse and I do infact work on cars when I can.
I don't get much time to do anything fun though... damn double shifts!
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 396
From:
RE: Is this normal for cold weather?
I agree, A woman that knows how to operate a ratchet and isnt sporting a mullet is a pretty attractive woman indeed.
Did you add any coolant? Since its colder your coolant will be contracted more from a cold start. It may have fallen below the minimum sensor level by a hair just because the liquid is more dense. Since the coolant expands as it heats up, it would make sense that the light didnt come back on.
Did you add any coolant? Since its colder your coolant will be contracted more from a cold start. It may have fallen below the minimum sensor level by a hair just because the liquid is more dense. Since the coolant expands as it heats up, it would make sense that the light didnt come back on.
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 33
From:
RE: Is this normal for cold weather?
i had the same problem, checked coolant level, etc. found a write up by TT owners that said it's a common problem, the sensor gets corroded and a little sand paper can solve the problem. i attached a dremel bit to the handle end of a small rubber tube and kind of just worked my way around the ends of the sensor. no problems since then and it's getting pretty cold around here lately.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,716
From: New York
RE: Is this normal for cold weather?
ORIGINAL: DenimTT
Did you add any coolant? Since its colder your coolant will be contracted more from a cold start. It may have fallen below the minimum sensor level by a hair just because the liquid is more dense. Since the coolant expands as it heats up, it would make sense that the light didnt come back on.
Did you add any coolant? Since its colder your coolant will be contracted more from a cold start. It may have fallen below the minimum sensor level by a hair just because the liquid is more dense. Since the coolant expands as it heats up, it would make sense that the light didnt come back on.
No not yet but I think you're right in my case.
I'll have to make a trip to the stealership before I go back to work tonight.
Thanks for the how-to-do liTTo, I'll keep that in mind if this problem happens again!