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home|passat|maintenance & repair|Coolant Temp Sender Replacement

Coolant Temp Sender Replacement

Symptoms:

The coolant temp sender has failed if the coolant temp gauge in the instrument cluster lives up to VW's parts reputation (Varies Widely). If the gauge informs you that the engine is stone cold while you're running 85 mph, it's time to replace the sender.

Part Information & Sources:

Note - always confirm part numbers by looking at the actual part mounted in the car! Mistakes will happen sometime, somewhere.

Part Number:
      1.8t VIN: pre 3B-X-491580 - 078 919 501 B (blue)
      1.8t VIN: post 3B-X-491581 - 059 919 501 A (green)

OEM Pricing: ~$20 (blue)
OEM Pricing: ~$6 (green)
Impex - $5 (green)

Sender removal:

The sender is located at the rear of the engine, and is one of the few easily accessible parts on the car. (illustration)

Note that the coolant system is sealed, and thanks to the vertical orientation of the sender, the coolant will pretty much stay where it should when you pull the sender (no need to drain coolant!).

  1. Start by pulling the electrical connector from the sender. (illustration)
  2. Pry the retaining clip out. (illustration)
  3. Pull the sender directly upwards to keep from distorting the o-ring below. (illustration)

    Note:
    A small amount of coolant will flow out, just stuff some paper towels under the sender plug to catch it. If coolant flows freely...you have a bigger problem to worry about than a bit of coolant on the ground. :)

  4. Take a look at the offending component... (illustration)
  5. Pop in the new sender, making sure it's seated well in the o-ring. As long as you don't abuse the o-ring there shouldn't be a reason to replace it. If the o-ring is deteriorated for some reason, you can pick one up from the dealer (part #: N 903 168 02) - but if the seal is deteriorated you need to find out why, as this will indicate deterioration of all rubber components of the cooling system! Start crying now.
  6. Snap the retaining clip back in place and reconnect the electrical connector. If the contacts for the connector look dirty, use an electrical contact cleaner on it.

Done! Run the engine, check for leaks, then go for a drive...

Comments:

  • OMG ...WORDS TO EXPRESS...NIGHTMARE...IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING THE MONEY PIT JOURNEY..GET OUT EARLY WHILE YOU CAN SAVE YOUR SANITY..
    Kristi Shawgo - Feb 26, 2020 @ 1:48 pm
  • before my 1.8 doesnt even gets to operating temp when , the dash says, " STOP" and "COOLANT TEMP". I dont lose water at all. anybody have an idea what it is? Thanks. The check engine light does not come on at all. im very confused. any suggwestions?

    August - Sep 27, 2017 @ 4:13 pm
  • I have a 2002 vw passat v6 and I changed the coolant temp sensor I drove it to see if it worked and the car started overheating and smoking really bad when I pulled the old sensor it had no o ring on it any suggestions on what I did wrong
    Ps when I put the new temp sensor in it wouldn't clip in or anything I was able to just pull it back out
    - Jun 30, 2016 @ 10:42 pm
  • If the coolant temp sender on a 2002 vw passat 1.8 t is in the rear of the enginew then what is the sensor at the lower radiator hose for
    Gus NY usa - Mar 4, 2014 @ 12:33 pm
  • 2003 Passat 1.8T Replaced Temp sensor per code P0117 and hard starts. Noticed that the housing that holds the sensor from above the u shaped clip to just below it is cracked.
    This explains the anti freeze leak I've seen. Has anybody run into this before? I'm the second owner of this car. I can tell the etc has been changed before by the way the wires were tied.
    Does anybody have a part number for that housing or an idea how difficult it may be to replace? Thanks
    Kevin B - Mar 2, 2014 @ 3:31 pm
  • Did this today with a friend - the 02 Passat Wagon 1.8t is a little different, and the location is extremely hard to get to - just behind the engine block next to the firewall, under a number of pipes. Basically had to get thru the side with my left hand. The connector was almost impossible to remove in this position, so we just pulled the retaining clip and removed the whole thing so we could get the connector loose. The old o-ring was stuck into place and broke apart once it was pried out. Have fun with this one and be patient. It will help tremendously to have someone else assist you.
    Mark USA - Dec 16, 2013 @ 6:01 pm
  • Did this today with a friend - the 02 Passat Wagon 1.8t is a little different, and the location is extremely hard to get to - just behind the engine block next to the firewall, under a number of pipes. Basically had to get thru the side with my left hand. The connector was almost impossible to remove in this position, so we just pulled the retaining clip and removed the whole thing so we could get the connector loose. The old o-ring was stuck into place and broke apart once it was pried out. Have fun with this one and be patient. It will help tremendously to have someone else assist you.
    Mark USA - Dec 16, 2013 @ 6:01 pm
  • I have a 2001 Vw passat 1.8t. the car start say after more than one cranking and then it moves a bit when its cold and then cuts off as if there is no fuel being pumped in. If i keep on starting the car and raving (car raves well) without engaging on gear after several similar attempts it then moves powerfully. When i start again when the engine is hot, the car performs perfectly no hassles. the temperature gauge behaves normally no sign of over heating etc. Could this be caused by the coolant sensor? Recently on my screen i have got a massage CHECK COOLANT, SERVICE MANUAL. I have checked the coolant gauge is above min, fuse ok and the fan working well. this is my 1st car and i'm panicking a lot. kindly email (destinycons@gmail.com)
    Jack (swaziland) - Dec 14, 2013 @ 9:55 am
  • 2004 1.8t passat, mil came on, did procedures to remove ect sensor. i see your note on the third point; lost most of my fluid. what is the big problem you referred to? much more then a little came out and all over the ground, hah.

    proceded to replace with new ect w/ oring. clipped in but still leaking fluid from somewhere. ??? i need help.
    ryan hawaii usa - Nov 22, 2012 @ 5:03 pm
  • This was fantastic. My 98 passat was having hot start issues and this solved it! Thanks so much. Couldn't have done it without you.
    Mark - USA - Nov 12, 2012 @ 7:20 am
  • Recommend buy up-dated green sensor at abt $9 - guaranteed 2 yrs - instead of the old style blue or black at abt $32. If ur getting P2181 code consider new 190 thermo at $11 (my OEM was 180), thorough flush, and Prestone 5yr/100,000m or equal at abt $10/gal instead of G12 at $32/gal. These changes eliminated my P2181 problems. I also used 40/60 mix which reads at minus 25 - good for my location - and these sensors seem to "like" this mix better.
    Dan - Nov 4, 2012 @ 6:03 pm
  • The Oil Change Had nothing to do with it. The ennige temperature is stuck at a warm temperature. (meaning it thinks the ennige is already warm when you start it cold). This is causing the enniges computer to through up a red flag(your check ennige light). What the mechanic is telling you is correct and more common than you think. However, if the vehicle has less than 120,000 miles on it. I do not see the need for the decarb or the radiator hoses. You only need the coolant flushed, thermostat and gasket changed (cap is cheap, so might as well) and the temp sensor replaced. So tell the mechanic at your appointment you do do not want the hoses and decarb of course after you get individual prices for each so you know he is actually taking off the bill. They are good maintenance items to have done, but if money is tight, these are the items you can do without at present.
    Tsona - Aug 25, 2012 @ 4:42 am
  • This might help someone: I got a 1.8T passat and had starting problems when engine was hot. Suffered for weeks trying to figure out the cause of this embarrassing problem. Believe it or not but it was a faulty temperature sensor.

    Vershak (South Africa) - Dec 12, 2011 @ 10:36 am
  • I have an 2002, VW Passat, 4 cyl, automatic, 1.8 Turbo. The temperature gauge is working erratically. At 65 MPH it will read two notches to the left of 190 and at "normal" speeds it is almost but not quite dead on. I have checked coolant levels and hoses and they are fine. The heat is not great but it is functional. Does anyone have a clue whether it is the thermostat or the temperature sender. Since I cant do the work myself there is a huge difference in the cost because of labor. I am told that it could take up to three hours to replace the thermostat. Thanks!
    Ray, Delaware, USA - Dec 8, 2011 @ 5:28 pm
  • 2. if try to fount the coolant temperature sensor (CTS)(Green color) Please star by looking around the [Engine Head] AFTER REMOVING THE TOP COVERS in 4 Cly. is normally by the back side of the fire wall 6Cly. is in the very front by the radiator in the multiple outlet.

    3if the hose/hoses keep on disconnecting! check if the hose have its clip-retainer, check the internal retainers (o ring and hard plastic conic/Gide ring are in place)if they're not best to do is get a new hose.


    ((( THE DESSING OF THE HOSE IS TO BRAKEDOWN O CRAKING DURING AN ENGINE OVERHEATING HIG PRESURE OF THE COOLING SYS. WELL WHEN IT HAPENS TRY TO CHECK THE HARD PLASTIC HOUSING & HOSE CONECTIONS --CHECK FOR DESCOLORATION ORANGE, LIGHT BROWN, COLORING-- DONT FORGET TO DO NOT MIX THE COLOR CODE/TYPE OF COOLANT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHTONE DO A GOOD COOLANT FLUSH BEFORE ADDING ANOTHER COLOR TYPE ))))

    4. If anyone else did/pay to do(replace) radiator,thermostat,water pump,coolant flush,new CTS, and resetting the engine light but the gauge continue on acting-up Please don't brake your head in it; at this point you going to need a better Scanner like Snap On Advantage to confirm the operation of the sensors by accessing Engine Data (focus on the coolant temperature variation) and using a Laser temp. reader on the radiator hoses to see if is any variation this will indicate that the thermostat is working .
    when you end up finding everything working properly, you my like to call for help for someone can troubleshooting the [CAN]Control Area Network because there is an Error Communication On the Cluster Modem/Computer..:you my try resetting the cluster with the scanner and test driving the car with another person looking the scanner for few miles.
    [[[this happen in 2002VW Passat 1.8T.]]]] Here is the link to explanation of what is,how it work the CAN-Bus now seen in all European cars and many more.

    If someone have car that never gets overheat in the street or when you live it running... but it overheats at some high speed (mostly highway) Good for you Stop the car don't drive it no more you are lucky the head gasket is begin to loss compression to the cooling sys. (RECOM..SENT OUT THE HEAD FOR RECTIFICATION & PRESSURE TEST ONLY no valve will be need it FLUSH COOLAND, REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND TRY TO USE ORIGINAL PARTS)


    Well every one! thank you for a great information. I hope this can help someone.
    and for the ones taking the time in reading Great Data please keep ongoing! ! !!
    Stevie's South CA - Oct 22, 2011 @ 10:27 pm
  • For people like you and me with VW-AUDI 99-08 (especially with turbo)Engines from 1.8 to 3.5(diesel) they have a problem on the entire cooling Sys.(not 100% Manufacture problem is more a 50/50 owner and Technician) 1. if coolant light turns ON Stop and let it seet too cool off and from the sides check for signs of coolant leak,white smog with some like suit smell if any of this hapen it will be best for you to tow it to your Mechanic and explaint what hapent.


    Stevie's South CA - Oct 22, 2011 @ 9:45 pm
  • 059 919 501 A Does it work for a 2000 Passat 1.8L Turbo?
    http://www.pap-parts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=059 919 501 A
    $18.95 but it says it is for 2001+
    Trouble code P1296
    please email me answer if possible marcpereira@hotmail.com
    Marc - Aug 17, 2011 @ 3:04 pm
  • I was looking to replace the CTS on my B5.5 1.8T. I noticed that there is allot of pumping in the way. Does anyone have any idea how to get around to pumping or remove the it to access the CTS?


    Abe Conesa - Jun 19, 2011 @ 4:06 pm
  • Temperature gauge not working at all. Replaced both temperature sensors and thermostat...car is also lurching and engine light flashing when accelerating from second gear to third...it's a 2004 VW Passat 4motion AWD....any other suggestions? Could this possibly be timing belt related? Or maybe both by coincedence? Thanks for any suggestions!
    Darren (Can) - May 30, 2011 @ 7:49 pm
  • I am finding it hard to think from just trying to get the electrical connector off the sensor on my '03 1.8 that it is one of the most accessible parts to replace. I can't even get them apa, the electrical and sensor body, managing to barely get my 98 pound weakling hands back there. Any one have a suggestion to help pull connector, which is barely visible through the hoses?
    stblane - Apr 4, 2011 @ 2:44 pm
  • I have a 2003 VW W8 Passat and a couple of days ago I noticed that my electric fans engage when I start the engine and stays on the whole time while driving. Ambient temperature is in the 30's and gage reads normal. the fans will disengage only after I turn the engine off and wait for another 2-3 minutes. Could this be a temperature sender issue or a fan relay stuck "open"?

    Thanks,


    ron
    Ron Prichard - Feb 10, 2011 @ 9:49 pm
  • very good info
    ahascragh - Dec 24, 2010 @ 1:09 pm
  • ok, so it started to get below 35F and when i turn on my 1.8T VW jetta the check coolant light starts to blink. I check the levels and its above the min line by alot and i know it didnt overheat becuase i just turned on the car. I was wanting to know if i just had this problem and need to change this sensor. Ty yoho3215@gmail.com
    Joe. US - Nov 17, 2010 @ 5:48 pm
  • My 2003 2.8cyl Passat has an engine light on and I took the car to a local auto parts store where they have a scanner to read the error codes on your ECM (engine control module). The error code is P0118 (Engine coolant temperature circuit, high input). I bought the temp sensor (green oblong end) but not sure where this thing goes. Can you provide some help! By the way your write-ups are very, very helpful. I used the info for my timing belt replacement and everything went great. Thanks for all your dedication for those of us that want to save a buck here or there!!!
    Bill in AZ - Sep 2, 2010 @ 8:30 pm
  • Just did this replacement. It took about an hour. The first 2/3 of an hour was spent locating and removing the part. The instructions and comments on this site were very useful, and this is one of the best write-up available on the web. However it is hard to tell from the pictures where in the engine the part is located, and it turns out on some Passats it\'s actually not that easy to get at. On my 2002 Passat 1.8T, the part is located at the back of the engine (i.e. toward the passenger compartment), somewhat left of center when looking at the engine compartment from the front of the car, and tucked about two inches under a junction of small hoses. Because it is under these hoses it is difficult to locate, and it is helpful to use a flashlight to find it (the four small wires coming out of the connector are the big giveaway). In this location it is also fairly difficult to reach, requiring you to come in from the left side of the engine and up under the part with your left hand. On my car the U-clip was originally installed from the engine side (not the firewall side), making it more difficult to remove because there is less room to maneuver on that side. But you can install the new one from the firewall side. Definitely get the clip and O-ring when buying the new sensor so you don\'t have to worry about damaging or losing the old one. Also, if the old O-ring does not come out with the part it can be flicked out of the hole with a piece of wire hanger with a small hook in it, reaching in from the top (if you can\'t reach with your finger after snaking your arm in to reach the part).
    Eli Manjarrez - Jul 27, 2010 @ 11:02 pm
  • Changed it in ten mins. Waiting for my wife to return with new g21. Hopefully this will solve or problems always cold reading and really bad idle. Figures are crossed.....
    Jason usa - Jun 14, 2010 @ 5:56 pm
  • i have a passat tdi 1998,it wont start cold i have to use easy sart but if it warms up i can start it easily what could be the problem?
    Emmanuel uk - May 23, 2010 @ 11:05 am
  • If you have a Passat/A4 and you can\'t find the damn CTS this post will help you for sure: http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183526
    Mike - Mar 26, 2010 @ 6:34 pm
  • Here is a web site I found on replacing colant temp Sensor.
    http://www.taligentx.com/passat/maintenance/coolanttempsender/

    Good Luck to you.
    Bob Bklyn,NY - Feb 6, 2010 @ 11:39 am
  • I am fairly sure this fixed my problem. However, on a 2001 1.8T Passat it was not an easy fix. Took about 1 hour to get the sensor visible, as I had to remove cables, cable-ties tubes and what not. It was also very hard to reach behind there and get the job done.
    It was easier to put the new O-ring on the new sensor before fitting it in the socket, because of very low visibility and a possibility to get leverage. Took a fair amount of time, as I was careful no to drop anything...

    Cost: about €25 including the O-ring
    Krister - Sweden - Jan 18, 2010 @ 4:50 am
  • My cold starting issues went away after changing the coolant temp sensor and about 60 miles later the engine light went out. The car starts and runs like a dream.
    I hope this helps someone else having similar starting problems.

    My 2004 Passat had a engine code P0117 coolant sensor circuit low input.
    Dave - Jan 6, 2010 @ 11:58 pm


    If you change the coolant sensor break down and get the horseshoe clip and \"O\" ring. The sensor I replaced the horse shoe clip was some sort of plastic and was already broke and \"O\" rings should always be replaced with any new component or part.
    My 2004 Passat had a cold start issue. hope this fixes it.
    Waiting for the clip.
    Dave - Jan 6, 2010 @ 11:49 pm
    Dave - Jan 8, 2010 @ 6:56 pm
  • My 2004 Passat had a engine code P0117 coolant sensor circuit low input.
    Dave - Jan 6, 2010 @ 10:58 pm
  • If you change the coolant sensor break down and get the horseshoe clip and \"O\" ring. The sensor I replaced the horse shoe clip was some sort of plastic and was already broke and \"O\" rings should always be replaced with any new component or part.
    My 2004 Passat had a cold start issue. hope this fixes it.
    Waiting for the clip.
    Dave - Jan 6, 2010 @ 10:49 pm
  • coolant warning light came on and won\'t go off! Fluids are full, fan is working, but it says the engine is cold no matter how long I drive it. Gonna try the coolant sensor, and pray I don\'t have to start crying!!
    jennifer US - Dec 22, 2009 @ 7:05 pm
  • I am going to have to spend 20 bucks to see if this is the culprut... thanks for the awesome write up.
    brandon - Oct 7, 2009 @ 1:16 pm (website)
  • The MIL light kept coming on, on my 2003 1.8 Passat and code P2181 came up, which is a cooling system error. I could not find a problem until I took a trip to the north GA mountains a few weeks ago and noticed that the temperature dropped down into the very low range when I went down a long hill. I then realized that the thermostat must be staying open when it should be closing. I replaced the thermostat and this fixed the problem. I had already tried replacing the sensor at the bottom of the radiator and found out that this just controls the speed of the cooling fan on this car.
    Ken Williams USA Georgia - Sep 20, 2009 @ 8:17 pm
  • Hi guys,
    Great site. I found a lot of useful info, but I still have an interesting problem with my cooling system. It is a 1999 Passat 1.9TDI Syncro and it needs adding 2 lbs of coollant every 100 miles...Any sugestions?
    Thanks,
    Stoyan
    Stoyan Bulgaria - Aug 18, 2009 @ 10:31 pm (website)
  • I have a problem with the electric radiator fan of a 2002 Passat (ATQ engine). If the AC is on fan vibrates excessively but only if in high speed. Did anybody ever experience this problem ? I do not think that it is a motor problem.
    Hans
    Hans / US - Jul 6, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
  • I have VW Passat - 1999 - 1.9 TDI. Where is the place for coolant sensor?Can you tell me what value and between which pins i must measure?
    Stilian-Bulgaria - Jun 16, 2009 @ 4:34 am
  • I cracked the sensor housing when i pulled the old temperature sensor out. Is the hosing Hard to replace? What is the procedure?
    Brent USA - Jun 9, 2009 @ 3:20 am
  • I have a 1998 Passat .... the coolant seems to keep making the hose come off. It doesn\'t overheat but I want to know why when I fill it with coolant is makes that hose come off?
    sonda - Jun 5, 2009 @ 6:51 pm
  • My check emisssions light went on the other day and it has not gone on since. that was about 3 days ago. Then today i started my car to go to work and i got a check coolant signal and the thermometer looking icon came on and it said check service manual. Any comments? I would like any help i can get.
    ERic V6 California - May 12, 2009 @ 10:21 am
  • I have a 2002 1.8T VW Passat - I can\'t locate the coolant temperature sender. I\'ve just bought a new one from the VW dealer (the one they gave me is: 059 919 501A - Green). Where will I find it? There appears to be a sensor near the radiatior and wondered if that was it but I don\'t want to tamper with things incase it isn\'t.
    Wayne - United Kingdom - May 5, 2009 @ 8:33 am
  • Julie- No, I have not been able to fix the problem. I changed the coolant temp sender but it did not work, Im still on it. Have you found the solution?
    Manuel, Mx - May 4, 2009 @ 8:13 pm
  • Manuel - we have the same problem as you. Garage has checked radiator, replaced thermostat, header tank, but it is still doing it. Has your problem been fixed? Is it the sender unit. ......\"The coolant temperature starts to rise when I go over 40mph, I release the gas pedal and as the velocity goes does and temperature returns to 190F. Does anyone have the same problem? Is it the coolant sensor or the thermometer?? \"

    Julie, UK - Apr 9, 2009 @ 6:00 am
  • The coolant temperature starts to rise when I go over 40mph, I release the gas pedal and as the velocity goes does and temperature returns to 190F. Does anyone have the same problem? Is it the coolant sensor or the thermometer??
    Manuel - Apr 7, 2009 @ 12:53 am
  • I have a 2004 Passat GLS 1.8T Sedan and the coolant sensor is not located as shown in the illustrations. I have looked everywhere all around the engine and the only sensor I see is one at the bottom of the radiator, but I think this one controls the electric fans.
    Any suggestions on where else to find the sensor which controls the instrument panel temperature gauge?
    Richard Cox - USA - Mar 9, 2009 @ 8:06 am
  • Please Help. I have replaced the coolant temperature sensor and all the hoses be cause they were do. It\'s filled with coolant, all the air is out of the system and the car beeps with a \"STOP. CHECK COOLANT. SERVICE MANUAL.\" Message will not go off. Not sure what to do next. There are no other leaks. I not sure what to do next.
    Tammy USA - Dec 3, 2008 @ 11:02 am
  • HI guys, can anyone tell me were is located the temp sensor in a 1994 glx? it is a blue one too? thanks for the help.
    Carlos (Mexico) - May 23, 2008 @ 8:19 am
  • Ignore that last comment. I discovered that there are 2 on these sending units on the 2.8L V6 (ATQ). The one I switched out twice to no avail is called the \"radiator fan thermo switch\". After replacing the unit located in the rear coolant hose behind the left head, the engine runs fine.
    Jim (again) - May 11, 2008 @ 7:56 am
  • I\'ve replaced the ECT sensor twice in the past month. The car runs fine for about 10 days and then reverts back to rough idle, rough shifting, and failure to start when warm. I\'ve checked the contacts on the plug and they seem OK. Any ideas?
    Jim - May 10, 2008 @ 10:02 am
  • I\'m looking for a diagram of where the powering steering fluid would go. I\'m having trouble finding it. Can anyone help????????
    kimberly USA - Apr 18, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
  • Hi guys,
    This was a great post. I did my coolant temperature sensor on my 1.8T
    it took just 10 minutes to replace it. I bought the temperature sender from
    ecstuning. Great!!
    jeeth, Canada - Apr 16, 2008 @ 6:46 am
  • The temp gage on my 99 Passat shows it is getting hot and the light comes on after I drive in town. The VW dealership told me one of the cooling fans was not working and that my radiator needs replacing. I was quoted $550 for radiator and $400 for the fan assembly. Any helpful suggestions or comments? Could this be a sensor problem? Thanks
    Charles - Mar 31, 2008 @ 8:31 am
  • Is \"Coolant Temperature Sensor\" same with the \"Coolant Temperature Sensor\"???
    Thank you...
    ali, \'99 Passat, TX - Mar 2, 2008 @ 4:10 pm
  • Kirk, I would say the thermostat would be your issue. If you are not getting heat, (which is the most common symptom of a bad thermostat) the thermostat is not opening up.
    Dave - Feb 22, 2008 @ 1:06 pm (website)
  • 2001 passat v6, replaced the sensor hoping to have the same results as the rest but the temp. still shows on the cold side. It\'s 34 degrees out and I\'m freezing my a&^ off. I get a warning on my \"idiot light\" read out saying \"emission workshop\" when I first get the car up around 2000 rmps. Could this be the problem or is it the thermostat?
    kirk Portland Ore. - Jan 28, 2008 @ 11:33 pm
  • Passat TDI 1998... I\'ve replaced the Coolant Temp. Sender and YEEEEHAAA ! it all works perfectly again.
    The sender instructs the fan when to operate and this now happens and the temp. reading is correct.
    PLEASE NOTE... VW now make the former rectangular BLUE sender with GREEN plastic.... how confusing is that..I had to phone VW to confirm I had the right bit before installing. THe old round sender is still GREEN.
    Thanks a lot for your excellent website.....ta jim
    jim england - Jan 6, 2008 @ 6:51 am
  • Passat TDI 1998...Temperature shows cold and engine feels normal..was going to replace thermostat but your great help-page has pointed me to the temp.sender..
    which is more logical...will replace and let you know what happens...ta..jim
    jim england - Dec 31, 2007 @ 6:30 am
  • Thanks for the excellent pics. Ihave an \'02 passat glx. It gave me the confidence to continue. I am trying to put the horshoe-shaped clip back on, does it go between the rubber o ring and the rim of the sensor? it\'s hard to see where it goes by looking at it from above.
    thanks
    Mark - Pennsylvania, USA - Dec 7, 2007 @ 11:08 am
  • These forums give terrific help. Thank you so much. My temp gauge was definitely wonky on my 2001 1.8T Passat wagon. Bought a new sensor ($33 including o-ring and clip at the stealer) and changed today. Back to normal. A few suggestions. Its kind of hard to find, on the back of the engine block just to the drivers side and below the round valve which is the air injector pump valve. I was having trouble getting the electrical connection off, finally pulled the clip, removed the sensor and then took off the electrical connection. This was much easier. Car was stone cold (overnight) and pointed slightly nose down, didn\'t lose on drop of coolant.
    allen bartlo USA - May 17, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
  • Good stuff. This write-up game me the confidence to do this repair myself. Mine is a Passat S TDi, 110bhp, AFN engine type. However, I did encounter a few unforseen problems: There was a pipe going right across the area where the sensor clip and sensor are situated making access quite difficult. As soon as I removed the faulty sensor, an unexpectedly large amount of coolant came gushing out, causing me to drop the faulty sensor and attached o-ring in the hard to reach crevice below !!! After a while, I managed to fish the old sensor out. I couldn\'t manage to recover the o-ring though, but fortunately, I\'d already bought a new o-ring with the new sensor. When I got the new sensor in place, it was then quite difficult (and scary) to put the sensor retaining spring back in position as, again, it could easily have been dropped and lost in the crevice below. You do need very steady hands - and please take your time !!! I\'d recommend buying the part from GSF Car Parts, because they were about £12 cheaper than buying the equivalent from VW !!! A few bits of advice: 1) Drain (save it if you can) enough of the G12 coolant before doing this procedure as it\'s expensive stuff !!! 2) When you buy your new sensor, it\'s probably worth buying a spare o-ring - they\'re cheap enough anyway - just in case you drop it into the crevice below as I did !!! 3) Make sure you check which sensor colour (blue or green) fits your engine. Mine is an AFN engine type, so it\'s the blue flavour !!! My temperature gauge now works again - and I\'ve saved a load of money by not letting the VW stealership repair it !!! :-) Good luck !!!
    Imtyaz Jumani, UK - Feb 20, 2007 @ 7:16 am
  • Did you remove the hard plastic intake on the throttle body to be able to reach the sensor?
    Zach United States - Dec 30, 2006 @ 2:13 pm
  • where is the coolant temp sender located on a 2001 passat v6? you show how to replace it, but dont show were it is. thanks shawn
    shawn - Aug 22, 2006 @ 6:42 pm
  • Have you ever replaced the oil cooler which sits above the oil cooler. This has failed on me and i would like to know if it is easy to replace.
    John Healy - Aug 22, 2006 @ 4:00 am
  • I would like to find the location of coolant temp sensor for 2000 1.9TDI. Could you help?

    Regards
    sca - Jul 5, 2006 @ 9:15 am
  • I am struggling to find the sensor. I took the expansion tank off and found 3 sensore underneath it. Am I in the right area. I couldn\'t work out from the pictures where abouts it is located.

    Thanks
    Tony UK - Jun 18, 2006 @ 4:18 am
  • I am having a problem that seems to be pretty common to VWs: the coolant temperature reading sometimes drops to the low end (usually it is some time after the first start in the day) and the car beeps with a \"STOP. CHECK COOLANT. SERVICE MANUAL.\" message. Googling around, people suggest:
    1. replacing the coolant expansion tank.
    2. replacing the coolant temperature sensor.

    Has anyone here had the same problem and what did you do about it? I tried the latter option but it didn\'t fix the problem. I do recall my mechanic was able to make the message go away by fiddling with something under the hood, but it keeps coming back...
    Sirish - Jun 12, 2006 @ 3:18 pm (website)
  • Thank you for the detailed process and pics. It literally took me 5 minutes to change out the old and put in the new one. I am just curious how much VW would charge to do this. Might call and get a quick estimate and see how much I saved.

    Thanks again
    Gobes - May 12, 2006 @ 11:20 am
  • hi your install help on the 1.8t coolant sensor is a big help and mine is dead it just sits there so i am going to replace it and i wanted to put in an aftermarket gauge so i can fill a a pillar pod and was just wondering if i could do this during the install on the stock sender any help would be appreciated and you just email me the answer thanx a lot.
    ken from the US - Apr 27, 2006 @ 10:30 pm (website)
  • busdepot.com sells the blue one for 9.94 plus tax. Thanks for the writeup taligentx!
    Nick USA-PA - Apr 17, 2006 @ 2:18 pm
  • I\'m almost certain that the dealership I go to just replaced this part and charged me $$ 180.00 (CDN) to do this---- CROOKS !!.....
    DAVEY @@@ - Mar 22, 2006 @ 7:03 pm
  • Thanks - Replaced the old sensor with a new one. Easier than changing the halogen light bulb and my coolant temp is back to 190 degrees F.
    R.G. Rohde - USA - Feb 4, 2006 @ 6:41 pm
  • This same sensor can be the source of hard starting, as it was on my \'99 1.8T. The temp gage function was just fine.
    Dave - Oct 4, 2005 @ 2:46 pm
  • This same sensor can be the source of hard starting, as it was on my \'99 1.8T. The temp gage function was just fine.
    Dave - Oct 4, 2005 @ 2:46 pm
  • my passat 2.0 tdi (uk) keeps telling me its overheating when its not, would a new coolant temp sender help this ?
    jon w (uk) - Aug 26, 2005 @ 1:19 am
  • www.passatworld.com/forums all ya need to know
    - Jun 24, 2005 @ 7:41 am
  • What if I get the P1296 but the temp is above 190 (i.e. the car is running hot in summer not stone cold at 85 mph)?

    thx,
    M.
    mohmd. Yamin - Jun 9, 2005 @ 9:00 pm
  • I was trying to ask if you had a pinout of this sensor?
    - Apr 26, 2005 @ 12:06 am

  • Robert Wiith a 1.8t Cabrio - Apr 26, 2005 @ 12:05 am
  • I\"m having the same problem with the temperature sender on my V6 Passat. Do you you know if it is the same part?
    Jamie - Apr 16, 2005 @ 10:25 pm
  • Great info and pictures always make it easier to follow. I have a 2002 1.8T Passat experiencing same symptons, but I can\'t figure out where the sensor is located! Only sensor I found had oil on it when I removed it! Any pictures or diagrams of this? email is lmcampos@comcast.net if you can help. Thanks.
    Lionel - Mar 28, 2005 @ 1:29 pm
  • For people like me who wants to chance stuff in the car bytheirselfves, it is a great site
    Deniz - Feb 25, 2005 @ 2:01 pm
  • I have a 1998 VW passat 1.8L Turbo. My coolant light turns on when I start the car in cold weather. When its warm it stays off. It stays on for about 10 minutes and goes off. What would I do to provent that.
    Boz - Nov 30, 2004 @ 6:27 pm
  • Great stuff. With the help of the above I just replaced the coolant temp sender on my 2001 2.0 passat (UK). Only difference was a breather pipe had to be removed first. I noticed an immediate difference in performance and improved behaviour of the climatronic unit.
    Mcnalu - Nov 27, 2004 @ 9:42 am
  • Good work! Keep going.
    Benson - Sep 11, 2004 @ 8:49 am

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