Ok my problem is either the thermostat or the coolant sensor. i have an erratic temp gauge which fluctuates between center and low. id like to try replacing the coolant sensor since it only cost about $5 but want to know what other symptoms can indicate which thing has failed. i really doubt the thermostat went since it was changed witht the t-belt about 20k miles ago.

 

If its the same cooling sensor that im thinking off that sits behind the motor right near the firewall...
Normally i believe it throws a a error code when it starts to fail. Atleast mine did anyway. Bought a new Green top on from Audi and problem went away.
For the amount of money it cost..just try it. Its an easy install. Takes all of 10 minutes

 

on the ones i've seen with thermostat issues the car won't build heat up past 1/4 on the gauge, I'd deffinatly try the temp sensor first, yeah the green top fixed my car too

 

would the coolant sensor affect the oil temp gauge if not im thinking it is infact the thermostat thats going, also is the thermostat switch something thats known to go out.

 

coolant temp shouldnt change the oil temp guage

 

well in that case does anyone know what engine code 16500-engine coolant tempreture circuit-range/performance problem. mean. i pulled this code a while back but every now and then it pops back up. still the possibility of a a failed coolant sensor(G62).

 

Yah i would def change out the sensor. I had a bad sensor on my subaru which would through a code everyonce and a while it was an intermediate thing, but i changed the sensor and my problems went away so i would def try the sensor first. An easy cheap replacement, i always start their and hey if it didnt fix it it juss cured a problem that could have occured down the road from now.

 

hehe 20k miles and my legs would be gone
16500 = stat stuffed/bad - poor connection and did they change the stat??? thermostat

 

so according to you avant80@2.6it is defently the thermostat eh.

 

I didn't say that but only implied it