Help coolant sensor querys

[777cupra]

Hey I had my engine management light/excess pollution light come on yesterday so went and got it scanned...turned out to be the coolant temp sensor. So went and got one today and now what has turned out to be a 5min job has totally f*cked me off!

Basically upon refitting me being the clumsy heavy handed person that I am managed to snap the retaining clip, so bakc along to seat to get another one....they said they didn't have any in stock but it will be here tomorrow...they also said it isn't really needed and the car should be fine to drive.

So anyways went back home thought I'd check everything worked ok, superglued the clip back together as a temporary measure till 2mrw and started the car.

Now correct me i I'm wrong but I thought that this sensor, told the car when the coolant was getting to hot and the cooling fans then kicked in? Well I let the car heat up to operatig temp and no fans came on....so went for a quick drive round the block...still no fans kicking on but the car temp wasn't above 90 (normal operating temp).

So I am unsure whether there is something wrong there?

I opened the bonnet to refit the engine covers and then ....BANG the sensor pops loose and fires a large ammount of coolant over my engine bay and my face!

Now I'm left feeling like an idiot....coolant over my engine bay....and just need a little help as to what to do next?

As another temp fix I could use some metal wire or something to bind around the sensor to hold it in place?

Is there a problem with the fans not coming on, or is that how it's supposed to be, seeing as the car isn't over heating?

Any help and speedy replies would be awesome as like I say I don't know what to do next.

Thanks

 

[andycupra]

Regarding the fans, they rarely need to come on if you are moving, if at all.
The thermostat or sensor will allow the coolant to be pumped around by the water pump when at operating temperature.
In your case this appears to have been working.

The fans only come on when there is not sufficient cooling from the radiator. (basically if your not moving for some time or been ragging it).

Therefore as the coolant stayed at 90 there is no reason for the fans to come on.
They should come on when the radiator does not provide enough cooling to keep the coolant temperature at 90,
or
when the aircon is on. the fans should then be on all time but at a slow speed.

as for getting a new coolant sensor, im sure there must be other options in the area. any VW skoda or audi places?
or GSF, or other places?
what area are you in? we may be able to suggest somewhere else.

 

[777cupra]

thats cool thanks, as when I put the aircon on they do come on. So at least that's all working ok.

I just need a way of holding my sensor in place now until the new one arrives at Seat

 

[andycupra]

where are you now? as in town?

 

[skahigh]

is there a VW dealer near you? its the same clip as in the mk 4 golf! I know because thats what I had to fit when I dropped my retaining clip doing the same job

 

[andycupra]

thats why im trying to find out where he is!
i assume part number you need is:
059 919 501A

AMERSHAM AUDI HAVE 2 SENSORS IN STOCK, £26.79 INCLUDING VAT. OPEN TILL 6PM
01494 546 000
edit:
AHA, the clip is seperate and you are in aylesbury.
bugger!

 

[777cupra]

I'm in aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, the part number on the clip is 032 121 142 rang VW said they dont have one either

 

[777cupra]

Yeh thanks for lookin that up for me though!
I haven't rung Audi in Aylesbury I'll try them

 

[andycupra]

let us know how you get on
dont forget skoda

 

[777cupra]

they dont have any either....trying some garages further afield now...or I'm gonna have to try and hold it in place with some metal wire.

 

[777cupra]

found one in MK on my way there in a bit thanks for your help!!!

 

[andycupra]

welcome, although thats a fair trip!

 

[777cupra]

yeh it not so bad with the new bypasses and that...one more question tho as you seem to be quite a knowledgable chap! ...ive now got to replace my coolant....as it all got sprayed over my engine bay. So is there any bleed screws for when I refill the coolant and where are they?

I remember on my old car there was a sequence to?

 

[skahigh]

I believe there is a bleed screw bottom left corner of the radiator?

 

[skahigh]

I realise your question was directed at andy btw

 

[777cupra]

cheers skahigh it doesn't matter where the answer comes from...its all usefull information thank you!

Ive been and got my new clip from MK, 43p so I bought 2! got some coolant, nipped into halfords and checked a golf haynes manual...didn't mention bleeding anything just said to sqeeze the bottom radiator hose to get the bubbles out! so I'm going to go instigate and see what I can find!

thanks for your help guys!

 

[andycupra]

sorry couldnt answer earlier, emergency in france at work...

however you may not need to replace it all, and you could probably just run the engine and top it up, it should self bleed.
but if replacing, get the pink stuff (5 years)

skahigh is correct, there is a drain tap on the bottom nearside edge of the radiator, no tools needed just turn the knob. you need to get under the car and you may be able to get to it by removing the undertray only. should be able to get to it ok.
dont forget to turn it back when its finished draining! probably about 5 litres worth so get car up high enough to get a decent container in there. or, if you cant due to high issues, simply stop it via knob and replace container.


easy to refil just poor into the expansion tank until it doesnt take any more, then run engine and top up as necessary.
then finally, turn on the heating with car running and check to see if the level drops at all. (it may or may not depending on if you managed to drain the heater matrix or not). top up if needed.

let us know if you got on ok

 

[777cupra]

yep all done and dusted now thanks! car feels a lot better ..or could just be because i was driveing slower with the engine light on!

Got my new tyre on today, so thats 2 jobs now on the ever ending list of maintenance! Just need to get cam belt service done now and that should be the lot for a while...touch wood!

thanks again for your help and speedy replies!

 

[andycupra]

you going to get the water pump changed when the cam belt is done...
if so more coolant will be needed. lol

glad its ok now!

 

[777cupra]

yeah will be done, at least coolant isn't expensive which is a good thing!