vRS temperature gauge problem...

[whitley_boy]

The needle on the temperature gauge on my 2003 vRS no longer moves from the rest position.

I tried removing and refitting the electric connector on the temperature sensor after which the gauge worked for a short drive - next time we drove it (a few hours later) it wasn't working again.

Should I replace the temperature sensor or could it be something else?

Thanks
Mark

[ap0gee]

Temp sensor is probably the first port of call. I don't know where it is on the 1.8T, but general advice seems to be to swap out the thermostat housing at the same time as you get the parts as a kit and will kill two birds with one stone. That might just be for Fabia engines, though. You can get the sensors on their own off ebay or somewhere like VAGParts if you don't want to pay dealer prices. Don't know about the sensor / throttle body kits, though...

I did a guide for the 1.4 MPi, here, if it's any help!

(Might not be, though!)

[AwesomeSarah]

Does the heater still get hot?
If not , could be thermostat , or possibly coolant temp sensor
GSF or Euro car parts are usually quite cheap
Just remember that the sensor has been superceeded to a new number
059 919 501A and is a 4 pin green one
Just do the job when the engine is cold please.....
Sarah

[whitley_boy]

Thank you both for your replies.

Sarah, to answer your question, yes the heater does still get hot. Today the gauge is working again though! I'm almost certain the heater has been working when the gauge hasn't however.

Ap0gee, your guide was very helpful in terms of how to replace the part, and I know where the sensor is on the 1.8T (not quite as easy to get to as on the Fabia though!). I think I have to remove the alternator to get at the thermostat, plus drain the whole system down to replace it, so I think I'll just replace the sensor - £15.50 postage included for a genuine part on EBay.

Thanks again,
Mark