So i just did my timing belt and water pump now, when im driving it runs right in the middle but when i am idling or put it in neutral to coast down a hill the temp gauge will drop pegged to cold. what could this be? the heater inside the car stays warm the entire time. A little example, I was cruising in 5th gear and all the sudden it dropped to cold, down shifted into 4th and it went back up. Im leaning towards coolant temp sensor, is there anyway i can test it?

 

That is how my coolant temp sensor, the one at firewall, acted before total failure. I replaced sensor, easy except for location and if you have big hands.

Hope it helps. John

 

That is how my coolant temp sensor, the one at firewall, acted before total failure. I replaced sensor, easy except for location and if you have big hands.

Hope it helps. John

 

Ah, yes the floating temp guage.

Mine did the same thing and I replaced the Temp sensor and now it doesn't.

Its an east fix depending on the placement on your vehicle.

If you have the 1.8 or 2.0 its real easy.
If you have the V6 thats another story. <- Tight fit to get to it!

Hate to post link to another sites fix it page.

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng108.shtml

 

If you do it yourself. Let the engine cool down a lot before attempting this because
as we all know hot coolant or engine is no fun to work on!

Also remove the coolant cap and put it back on to release any preasure and then create a vacuume so coolant doesn't leak out while replacing the sensor.

 

Wow awesome guys, where can i find this sensor on the 1.8t? Im guessing its not the one on the bottom of the coolant reservoir or the one on the bottom hose of the radiator correct? on the v6 its on the back of the engine is that where it is on the 1.8t? thanks for the help

 

anybody have a part number by chance? Checked for the part on ecs and there is like four different ones...

 

Mine is 2004 1.8T Q. There is a similar Tech posting for 1.8 engine on this site. I don't remember part number, but was newer "green" sensor. If you email or call ECS, they can probably tell you exactly what you need. John

 

awesome thanks

 

Found it. Was at different site. Lists part number.

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng66.shtml