Strange Temperature Gauge

[Nabraxas]

Hi,

I've done a bit of a search on this but would just like some clarification as my problem appears to be slightly different to those I've found described.

My temperature gauge will sit at 60c (bottom) for a very long time, slowly creeping upto a quarter (quicker if you turn the heaters off) - I've also noticed that the heat from the blowers is warm rather than the usual hot.

If it warms up, as soon as you turn the heaters on the temperature begins to drop again. The guage isn't really irratic but appears to float between mainly at the bottom and to a quarter.

Driving home this evening it only reached 90c after driving 20 miles (and after a stretch of road which requires you to put the power down a little bit), where it stayed for a time and slowly began to fall below 90c again.

My guess is the thermostat is stuck open, however, I've noticed some threads about the temperature sensor causing problems; but mine isn't irratic just seems to be running too cold? Even the coolant pipes are merely warm to the touch rather than the usual scalding temperature they are.

Thanks for any help

 

[LEE69]

If the heaters are colder could well be the thermostat partly stuck open.

 

[BCM]

Yeh, as Lee said, if the heaters are colder then it would prob indicate the thermostat being stuk open

 

[Nabraxas]

The engine management light came on this morning too - would a stuck thermostat cause this to come on?

 

[Gezz]

When you say engine management light do you mean the light to the far right in the middle row that looks like an engine?

My light came on last week, took to my local garage who found a split pipe and replaced it. They reset the ECU and since my car doesn't seem to heat up properly and whenever you do a cold start it kangaroo's down the road in first gear and the power is very erratic.

It6 makes pulling out of junctions in rush hour very exciting. It does this until the engine gets up to 90 which seems to be taking longer than it used to, which is why I've added to this post.

Yours doing anything similar?

 

[MrJohnnyB]

Fault code check it!

 

[Nabraxas]

Checked with VagCom and it gave a fault code, can't remember the exact message but stated a problem with Sensor or Thermostat.

Bought a replacement Thermostat from SEAT and noticed when I was driving back the temperature gauge was sitting at 90c again - since then it's been fine? Very strange!

 

[andycupra]

When you say engine management light do you mean the light to the far right in the middle row that looks like an engine?

My light came on last week, took to my local garage who found a split pipe and replaced it. They reset the ECU and since my car doesn't seem to heat up properly and whenever you do a cold start it kangaroo's down the road in first gear and the power is very erratic.

It6 makes pulling out of junctions in rush hour very exciting. It does this until the engine gets up to 90 which seems to be taking longer than it used to, which is why I've added to this post.

Yours doing anything similar?

have you got the original temperature sender? if so id say try changing that to a 'green top' sensor.
Plenty of info on here, or any decent dealer will know what im talking about. Common failure.

 

[olliep]

heaters will subtract from the temp. i'm not sure how drastic however but i was advised when working the engine hard in hot places you should crank the heating right up to help cool the engine so the theory is sound. just a thought...

 

[chrisphysics]

heaters will subtract from the temp. i'm not sure how drastic however but i was advised when working the engine hard in hot places you should crank the heating right up to help cool the engine so the theory is sound. just a thought...

I have heard this, and indeed the theory is correct, however there would be no need to "assist" cooling in a moden car unless the coolent temp. is rising above 90 degrees. ie the main radiator can't cope.

 

[traumapat]

Checked with VagCom and it gave a fault code, can't remember the exact message but stated a problem with Sensor or Thermostat.

Bought a replacement Thermostat from SEAT and noticed when I was driving back the temperature gauge was sitting at 90c again - since then it's been fine? Very strange!

are you fitting it? theres a sender in the thermostat housing that controls the gauge apparently. if your able to take a couple of photos id be very grateful.