Temp gauge wont heat up

[cupramillo]

As above really, for the past few weeks the temp gauge wont make it all the way to 90(half way). It happens more when its non stop drive ie crusing at dual carriage way speed, but during stop start traffic it seems to warm up fine. It didnt make it all the way to half way on my drive home last night and its a 10mile trip, the heater works fine and is pumping out hot air. Just worried beuase i usually wait for the temp gauge to hit half way then giove it 5mins before i give it a blast, but now worried to do it incase its not warmed up properly.

Any ideas?

 

[M87NER]

Could be due to the weather been colder hense the driving without stopping your getting alot of cold air into the fmic and radiator so the temps will go down, i use scan gauge aswell and that can show the water temp and it does go down to 70'c so that may be why its goin down on the needle to as mine does...

 

[cupramillo]

Yeh could be that i guess, im still only running standard SMIC at the mo but hope to let the laguna on soon weather permitting. So you dont tjink it could be the engine temp sensor or something like that or a dodgy thermostat?

 

[dubz_wm]

mine has started doing that to the past week, ive def put it down to the weather being so cold.

 

[cus]

i've just got a new temp sensor fitted today, so i'm gonna see how it goes

 

[cupramillo]

Good news... does yours have the same symptons? Let us know if it works and i'll be ordering one if it goes well!

 

[SEATCOOBER]

should not go on water temp its the oil temp you need before you give it the beans!!!

 

[Cupra20]

Mines doing the same recently and taking an age to get up to temp and i've put it down to my FMIC and the cold weather, i may change my temp sensor to see if that makes a difference.

 

[RichN]

It's the weather. Same thing every year.

 

[cupramillo]

Thats what i ment... i wait for the temp gauge to hit center(water temp) then wait 5-7 mins of normal driving then give it the beans. Oil should be warm 5-7mins after the water has heated up to the proper temp.

Guess i'll put it down to the time of year then

 

[Imteyaz]

I think its a faulty thermostat. I had very similar symptoms on my A3 1.8T (AUM Code), temp rose to 90 in standing traffic but dropped off to 80 when driving on the dual carriageway. I went for the cheaper option of changing the stat (12 squids from the dealers) and changed it using a link I found on Vortex. Now the temp stays dead on 90deg, regardles of outside temperature / driving style. The only tricky part of doing the job is the bottom bolt on the flange, I found it helped to remove the alternator cabling out of the way but to do that, you must disconnect the battery (for obvious safety reasons) and that means your radio will go into 'safe' mode when reconnecting so be sure to have your code ready!

 

[RichN]

Not sure the built in non removable radio would need a security key.. ..But I still maintain it's just the weather. ;-)

 

[Dan1.6]

mine doesnt work all toghther havent seen it move in ages

 

[Daymo]

even though mines a standard 1.6 its been taking a lot longer to get to 90 on the oil temp gauge, cos i dont boot my car till its properly warmed up, it takes about twice as long to warm up in this bloody cold weather!!!

 

[cus]

havent managed to get my car backtoday, so cant say i'll let you know if itdoeswork though

 

[shantybeater]

Mine fluctuates alot as well but i'm pretty sure its just good cooling, if im stuck in traffic then it will always reach 90 but if im crusing gently along a dual carriageway it will go down especially if the heater is on....its quite normal