hardyg Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 Hi All, I am new to tyresmoke - but I love the site so hopefully I can get a bit of advice. I bought a A3 2.0 (2004) FSI sport recently and all was going well for around 2 days. Then upon starting from cold on morning #1 I received a coolant warning on the dashboard DIS. Having checked the collant level it seemed fine. When it is started from cold I have noticed the engine temperature is not being measured. Upon waiting a few minutes with the engine on the coolant light disappears, the engine fan switches off, and the engine temperature is being measured. I've obviously checked the coolant is at the correct level. Having took it to a local garage they reset the warning systems and believed they'd sorted the problem. On restarting next day I have the coolant light flashing again. I've checked it into another garage where they believe they should be able to identify the problem via the diagnostics systems they have The light only comes on if the engine is started from cold and hasnt been started for 5-6 hours. Once the light goes out everything seems to work fine.....but it is very annoying and inconvenient. Does anyone have any good pointers or has had a similar experience? Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Welcome to Tyresmoke I have exactly the same thing on my car. In fact it happened again this morning. As you say, it only happens on cold mornings. It is the coolant level sensor in the header tank. The old A3 used to suffer from the same problem. If your car is still under warranty, get it done by Audi (mine is being done when it goes in for its next service). If not, take it to an independent and tell them its the sensor. I'm not sure if its a DIY job but no doubt someone will be along in a bit with more technical knowledge than me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirho Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Hi Booster, thanks for this. I think have a similar problem. Just in the last week (ie when the weather was pretty mild), when doing motorway speeds of 70+ the temperature gauge has started dropping to just over 70c. Anything slower than this and the gauge rises again to where it should be at 90c. This morning (when its bloody freezing) the red warning "Fault in cooling system" light flickered, but only stayed on for about 30 seconds. First time I have seen this happen. Do you think all this is connected to the coolant level sensor? Is it gonna cost me big style? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahaydock Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 It could be the Cylinder Head - I have just had mine repalced under warranty. This was a problem on the A3s a while back that Audi acknowledge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirho Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Thanks ahaydock. Cylinder head problem sounds serious! If it were this, would the fact that I have a five year old import (full UK spec) model be a problem to the Audi stealers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahaydock Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Hmm not sure sirho were you would stand with the warranty mate. However I thought it was an 8P model you had? If not then this may not be the case. Sorry if I have caused confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirho Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 No problems, I probably should have said. I actually have an 8L model: 2002 1.8t Sport, 150bhp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clong Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 I have the same issue with my 8P A3. I had it in the dealers for a day and they couldn't find the problem, or reproduce it. No error is recorded by the car as apparently it thinks it is just a low coolant level and was sorted by topping up. The dealers apparently set up some kind of pressure test all day but showed no signs of leaking or error in the sensor. Its back in again tomorrow. I'm worried they wont find the problem again and my warranty is up in a few weeks time :s This cylinder head possibility worries me even more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahaydock Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 I had the same Cons, no error until they did the pressure test, then there was a bit of battle between the Stealers and Audi UK. Got it all sorted eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithy26286 Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 i baught the car a few month back and have been having endless problems with the temperature guage and fan coming on. when i start the car up the coolant light come on and bleeps,and the fan starts going sounding like a wind turbine. however once been driving some times the needle shoots from 0 to 90,but then also sometimes drops back down to 0 causing the fan to come on again. i have also found out sometimes after driving the car for a few mile,with the coolant light on and fan going,if i stop the car and take the key out of the egnition and then restart the engine the needle shoots back up to 90degrees. i find it possible that wen turning some corners or going over bumps it can either send the light on n temp down or the opposite,unless this is just by chance i dont want to get ripped off by an audi dealer and would be much appriciated if any one has had any previous experiance of this to help me out or could suggest parts to maybe try replacing it is an audi a3 53 plate so the new shape fsi 2.0 thankyou regards Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 I've seen my temp gauge go up and down like it's on viagra, there is a sensor/sender that can be replaced for about £30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 There's two separate problems being discussed here. The cold-start random coolant light, as mentioned above, is the sensor in the header tank. I believe the whole tank is replaced as part of this fix. I've also recently had a fluctuating temp gauge fixed and in my case it was the temperature sensor and thermostat that needed changing. Both pretty low value parts and quick fixes and i now have a temp needle that stays at 90 like it should Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now