Coolant temp sensor -

[mrsbeazley]

hi i need to change the coolant temp sensor - is this a dealer only item and is it hard to change ?

[cep]

Very easy. Do a search here. A number of people have written up how to change it, myself included.

[savethebluths.org]

When you go to buy the sensor buy a new heart valve and replace that its most likely cracked in some sort of way or form.

[orienteer]

Coolant sensor change - Loosen the coolant tank cap to relieve any pressure that might be in the system, then put it back on, tight. Locate the coolant temp sensor and unplug the electrical connector. The sensor is sealed with an o-ring and held in position with a clip. Pull the clip, then wiggle and pull on the sensor to remove it from it's well. With the cap on the coolant bottle, you should lose very little coolant but it also pays to have the new parts ready to go in immediately. Remove and replace the o-ring (might want to lube it with a little Vaseline or similar), seat the new sensor, push in the retainer clip. Re-attach the electrical connnector.

If you do lose coolant make sure you top up with G12 from a VW dealer only !! The level sensor is very sensitive

Regards, Ian

[savethebluths.org]

Oh when you go to get a new sensor stop by volkswagen and pick up a new clip because they are bound to break!

[oceanjoe89]

halla... just changed mine out today. Easiest thing ever. I found it easiest to remove the clip, pull the sensor out and then disconnect the wire harness from it. Trying to bend my arms in a fashion to get the connector off with the sensor still in the line was almost impossible.

I lost about 1/3 of a cup of coolant (maybe a bit less than that, actually) while doing it.

[dirtydan]

where is it located?? sorry a little new her

[evey64]

OK so I have a 2.0 gas, and i cannot get the sesnor unplugged. Is there some trick to it? Please help!! Thanks!

[Smileybug]

There is a clip that needs to come off before you can unplug the sensor. Its plastic so don't be surprised if it breaks (just make sure you have another one!). After that you should just be able to pull it out.

[cep]

I think he's talking about the electrical connector not coming off.

As someone else said, you can remove the sensor from the engine without removing the electrical connector. Just be ready with your new sensor and install it immediately so you don't lose a bunch of coolant.

Then, with the sensor free from the engine, you can get a better look at it to see how the electrical connector locks on and hold it in both hands to get it loose. Once you get it off the old sensor, it just pushes on the new one. Electrical connectors can get stuck quite tightly.

[backdraft64]

Where is he located on a 98 2.0L beetle

[cep]

Originally Posted by backdraft64

Where is he located on a 98 2.0L beetle

It's item #3 in this attachment.

[vdubing]

Yea who can understand those blue prints? Not me! They are as helpful as saying the sensor is under the hood. Everyone talks about how east it is to change out a temp sensor but no one can tell where its located. Can SOMEONE take a pic of you pointing at the sensor or SOMETHING!?

[simonsi]

Find the radiator top hose where it comes out of the radiator (large black hose coming out of the radiator just near the battery end of the radiator - left side when sat in the drivers seat facing forwards). Follow the top hose back to the engine, the hose fastens onto a black plastic flange/connector bolted to the left/battery end of the engine, in the top of that black plastic flange/connector are two flanges, the front one is normally just blanked off with a black plastic plug, the rear one (furthest from the radiator), should have a sensor in it with a wiring connector in the top - that sensor is the coolant temp sensor.

Sorry, can't take pics at the moment....

[shawny]

With the cap on the coolant bottle, you should lose very little coolant but it also pays to have the new parts ready to go in immediately. Remove and replace the o-ring.

[gc3076]

Has anyone ever seen this repair posted on youtube. If so could you post the link please.

[GreatRewards]

Simon - not sure if you were describing the location for the sensor on a '98, but your description was perfectly detailed and made my finding it on our '02 a snap.

Everyone - Your descriptions of the process for replacing the sensor were spot on. It took me all of 5 minutes to swap out the old for a new.

THANKS!!!

[simonsi]

Originally Posted by GreatRewards

Simon - not sure if you were describing the location for the sensor on a '98, but your description was perfectly detailed and made my finding it on our '02 a snap.

Everyone - Your descriptions of the process for replacing the sensor were spot on. It took me all of 5 minutes to swap out the old for a new.

THANKS!!!

You are welcome! AFAIK all 2.0 engines have the same hose/CTS layout.

[Jeff2]

Originally Posted by orienteer

Remove and replace the o-ring (might want to lube it with a little Vaseline or similar)

I personally would be careful about what lube you put on the o-ring. Vaseline is petroleum based and might not be good for an o-ring used in a car's cooling system. I'd personally use a silicone based lubricant found in the plumbing section of the hardware store (silicone faucet grease). It's specifically made to be put on the rubber o-rings found in water faucet internals. A small container of silicone faucet grease should cost about $3.

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicone_grease

[Cooney34]

the temp sensor itself it cheap i just bought one, and it's about 9 bucks at advance auto part number WT5129.