Faulty Coolant Temp Sensor?

[spyder]

Hi,
Last night after driving home from work, as I pulled into the driveway, I could hear my auxiliary fan going like the clappers.
I noticed that my temp. gauge was sitting right down on cold. After turning off the ignition, the fan was still going for a few minutes. This morning after starting the car, the fan came on again. So, my question is, could it be a faulty coolant temp. sensor? Is it still ok to drive it to the dealer? Coolant level is fine.
It's a 2012 Tiguan 118 Tsi manual, if its any help.

Cheers

[Umai Naa!!]

Was the airconditioning on?

[spyder]

Was the airconditioning on?

It was on during the day but not when I drove home at night.

[spyder]

Manged to drive the car to the dealer yesterday, and was happy that they could see to my problem. As suspected, they replaced the coolant temp sensor.
Drove to work, everything normal.
Going home last night, the temp gauge was stuck on zero cold for a while then shot up to normal. After about 10 minutes went down to zero again and the thermo fan started up again. Is this an intermittent fault with a sensor? Could it be the thermostat?
Also, the heating in the car was not working properly!

Back to the workshop again....peeved!

Cheers

[tigger73]

I would be more concerned if there was a fault with the temperature sensor which stopped the fan from running.

I know it's probably a bit painful but the way the car is operating is assuming worst temp condition given it doesn't have an input. Which is the safe way to go.

[spyder]

I know it's probably a bit painful but the way the car is operating is assuming worst temp condition given it doesn't have an input. Which is the safe way to go.

Agreed, but why would the sensor fail again if it was tested ok? Maybe it's a faulty relay to the temp gauge...who knows?

[tigger73]

Agreed, but why would the sensor fail again if it was tested ok? Maybe it's a faulty relay to the temp gauge...who knows?

It's probably not the sensor - you'd be pretty unlucky to have 2 sensors fail. More likely a dodgy cable / connection somewhere. Intermittent problems are the most fun ones to find/prove. Could be the cable has been pinched somewhere and worn through to the wire.

Good luck. It's going to be a fun one to find.

[spyder]

Last night the yellow check engine light came on.....just great!
Says in the owners manual its a Catalytic Converter Fault......"drive carefully to nearest workshop".
Don't know if its related to temp sensor problems?
At least its not flashing....sigh!

[spyder]

Took the car to the dealer yesterday and was told to leave it overnight so that they can fully test it.
I received a call this morning to say it was a sticky thermostat...But, they don't have any parts here in Australia, and has to come from Singapore and will be a two week wait at the most!
WTF!!.....a part like a thermostat, a 2 week wait. I find it bewildering that a simple thing like a thermostat is not available in Australia?
This type of engine is not new, its a 118Tsi and has been around for a few years, so parts should be freely available.
Then I'm told they have no loan cars and to ring VW Australia to see if they can provide one.

Just been on the phone to a lovely VW customer service rep and she said she will try and see if they could get me a loaner, hopefully by the end of the day!........will post outcome!

Cheers

[spyder]

Happy Days!!
VW Australia have come to the party and provided me with a rental car for 16 days.....hopefully the Tig will be back a lot sooner!....I'm starting to miss it