Temperature gauge options

[SteveG]

Ahhh - its summer again.
Since the Beetle doesn't have a temp gauge I'm looking at either fitting a one or some sort of monitor so I can tell how hard its being pushed cooling-wise on hot days. I'd rather have the option of turning off A/C etc and sweating it out if things are getting too hot than not knowing until too late and cooking the engine.

On a couple of my older vehicles I've got Engine Watchdog TM2 monitors ENGINE WATCHDOG TM2, Engine Temperature Sensor and Low Coolant Alarm
I mainly like the settable alarm and am OK with just knowing how much hotter than normal the engine is (rather than needing to know exact coolant temp). Also like them being non-invasive and therefore no extra connections to leak etc.

With the Beetle being a lot more modern, I'm guessing the ECU already knows what temp the engine is. Is there a simple/cheap way to tap into that and display it - perhaps with some aftermarket bit of gear etc? Its the 1.6 petrol engine if that makes a difference.

Steve

[h100vw]

Modern gauges don't swing about much these days. Chances are if the water pump had gone the warning light would come on before you noticed the gauge moving anyway.

You should use an extra sender really, if you go parallel off an existing one it will affect the readings anyway.

TBH I wouldn't worry about it.

Gavin

[Sirocco20348]

Setup Vagcom and log the cooland temp on a small laptop. It wouldnt be a permanent install. Just when you are curious you can plug it in and take the car for a strap.

[SteveG]

Modern gauges don't swing about much these days. Chances are if the water pump had gone the warning light would come on before you noticed the gauge moving anyway.

You should use an extra sender really, if you go parallel off an existing one it will affect the readings anyway.

TBH I wouldn't worry about it.

Gavin

So is the warning light really a warning light and will let you know in time before the engine is stuffed - or is it more like an indication of bank balance (ie RED == DEAD) !!!

Wasn't thinking of going parallel off the existing sender, more along the lines of something that would read the measured temp from the ECU and display it. Like Sirocco20348 was suggesting, but as a permanent install/display.

If the warning light is set at a temp that will alert you before major damage is done then I'm not so concerned.

Steve

[Sirocco20348]

What about a wireless obd2 device connected to a smartphone?

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No idea if that is anygood.... its just a visual suggestion

[h100vw]

The light on a VW with a gauge is to tell you to stop. Just the same as the one on your Beetle. Just have a quick look in the owners manual and see what it says.

If you were to log the ECU with VCDS it would change by less than 5 degrees or so I reckon when driving normally.

[Hillbilly]

Put another watchdog on it

I had one on my Cruiser because a Toyota temp gauge only works in liquid and if you blow a hose it just sits there and next thing you see is a big cloud of smoke and rattles.

Also had a low water warning in the top radiator hose so that if water level dropped 50mm it would go off.

Best gear I had I reckon also with an EGT gauge and a auto trans temp gauge

[JustCruisn]

Beetle/Golf will beep and warning will light when coolant level falls also.

[Hillbilly]

Beetle/Golf will beep and warning will light when coolant level falls also.

Depends on how far it has to fall before it beeps.

On most cars when the light comes on its already too late.

[blutopless2]

I have had the low coolant warning come on in my previous jetta once... it was on before the overflow bottle was empty... so there is plenty of warning.
Dont think any car manufacturer will install a "warning" lamp on a car that comes on when its too late. Its like asking if the low fuel warning comes on when the tank is empty... pretty useless by then.
We have a new beetle also.. and I have never seen the high temp warning light come on even when driving in 40Deg temps.