help with coolant sensor/ t-stat problem.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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help with coolant sensor/ t-stat problem.
Hello all. I'm looking for some help fixing my P1296 code. I've searched around a bit, and found this discussed several times before, but I'm kind of stuck at the moment.
Based on what I read, I replaced the coolant sensor at the rear of the engine. The sensor that came out was green, as was the one that went in. Unfortunately, this does not seem to have fixed my problem. I still have a CEL and my engine temp gauge is still stuck on full cold.
Drove on the freeway for about 20 min this morning. Engine temp never came off full cold, but I did have heat in the car. After getting stuck in a traffic jam the needle came up a bit, but nowhere near normal temp. Once I started moving again it dropped back down to zero.
So, does anybody know what my problem would be? Is there a way to check if my coolant temp sensor is working correctly? Is there another temp sensor that should be replaced? Is the T-stat stuck open and can that be checked with a scan tool? Is the T-stat a common failure?
I have not had the car scanned with a VAG COM or anything yet. The closest dealer is about an hour away from me, so its not a convenient thing to get done. I don't really want to take a 1/2 day off if its not going to tell me anything.
Any help you guys can give me is appreciated.
Oh, and the car is a 2002 A4, 1.8T, Quattro, 5spd.
Thanks,
Marty
Based on what I read, I replaced the coolant sensor at the rear of the engine. The sensor that came out was green, as was the one that went in. Unfortunately, this does not seem to have fixed my problem. I still have a CEL and my engine temp gauge is still stuck on full cold.
Drove on the freeway for about 20 min this morning. Engine temp never came off full cold, but I did have heat in the car. After getting stuck in a traffic jam the needle came up a bit, but nowhere near normal temp. Once I started moving again it dropped back down to zero.
So, does anybody know what my problem would be? Is there a way to check if my coolant temp sensor is working correctly? Is there another temp sensor that should be replaced? Is the T-stat stuck open and can that be checked with a scan tool? Is the T-stat a common failure?
I have not had the car scanned with a VAG COM or anything yet. The closest dealer is about an hour away from me, so its not a convenient thing to get done. I don't really want to take a 1/2 day off if its not going to tell me anything.
Any help you guys can give me is appreciated.
Oh, and the car is a 2002 A4, 1.8T, Quattro, 5spd.
Thanks,
Marty
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 277
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when my tstat went, i started noticing the fan would come on even in cool weather..
and when driving it would take a long time for the temp gauge to go up to normal operating temp (half hour as opposed to 5 min).
i too first tried the temp sensor, and nothing changed after i put in the new one. after researching, it was pretty clear the issue was my thermostat.
i bought a new one from the dealer for like $250, and used Mark955's writeup (before matt devo added the handy pictures) to replace. i'm not much of a mechanic, but even still it wasn't that tough to swap. took like 5 hours moving pretty slowly.
i too first tried the temp sensor, and nothing changed after i put in the new one. after researching, it was pretty clear the issue was my thermostat.
i bought a new one from the dealer for like $250, and used Mark955's writeup (before matt devo added the handy pictures) to replace. i'm not much of a mechanic, but even still it wasn't that tough to swap. took like 5 hours moving pretty slowly.
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 29
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Same problem
I just had the exact same problem as you described it. My first attempt was the coolant sensor too. Ultimately, replacing the t-stat solved the problem.
There is an excellent write-up available. I noted on Step #9, if you have trouble pulling the pipe away from the t-stat, you'll need to loosen a screw. You can see it through the 3rd and 4th intake runner (I think it was a 16mm hex).<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/950612.phtml">Link to write-up</a></li></ul>
There is an excellent write-up available. I noted on Step #9, if you have trouble pulling the pipe away from the t-stat, you'll need to loosen a screw. You can see it through the 3rd and 4th intake runner (I think it was a 16mm hex).<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/950612.phtml">Link to write-up</a></li></ul>
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