Overheating Problem

[palomba16]

I don't have a bug, but it is a 01 Jetta 2.0. I came to this sight, because you people seem to know what your talking about then most Jetta sights!
Anyways here it is- 01 2.0 gas GLS jetta was driving the other day and the temp light came on and started to blink, so I looked at the gauge and it was pinned to red. I also have no heat! Popped the hood looked like everything was good with no overheating steam or any signs of overheating. I changed the thermostat and check the old one anyway and it was still good. Started it up and it won't come on until I drive it about 5 min, but it still happens. I looked for leaks and felt the hoses for temp and pressure, but everything looked good. The coolant level was at the min level the first time this happened and I did add the dexcool to it, because that will mix good with the G12 or whatever the pink stuff is. Fuses check,coolant check,hoses check,leaks check, thermostat check. Any ideas on what this could be? Heater core? Waterpump?Temp sensor? I can't even seem to locate the waterpump on this car. Really anything would help!!
Thanks

[vdubbugman53]

well i think if the temp gage was peggeg and you dont get any sort of steam it may be the temp guage sensor. when it says it is over heating do you have a temp gun or ne thing that you can check the water temp with other then the car guage. also see if you can get somebody to run a Vag-com on it to tell you if the sensor is bad. another possability is a blockage in the radiator. now with an 01 i dont know how plosable that is but it is another option. you could try to back flush it and see what happens. ohhow many miles you got. i know a lot of ppl have there water pumps go out around 80k. i havent looked in to mine so im not sure where it is but that could be your sourse too. may want to find a repair manuel on your car too. bently is the best but that comes with $$. i have a chiltons and that does well for me. HTH\

-Nick

[blue'99]

Originally Posted by palomba16

I don't have a bug, but it is a 01 Jetta 2.0. I came to this sight, because you people seem to know what your talking about then most Jetta sights!
Anyways here it is- 01 2.0 gas GLS jetta was driving the other day and the temp light came on and started to blink, so I looked at the gauge and it was pinned to red. I also have no heat! Popped the hood looked like everything was good with no overheating steam or any signs of overheating. I changed the thermostat and check the old one anyway and it was still good. Started it up and it won't come on until I drive it about 5 min, but it still happens. I looked for leaks and felt the hoses for temp and pressure, but everything looked good. The coolant level was at the min level the first time this happened and I did add the dexcool to it, because that will mix good with the G12 or whatever the pink stuff is. Fuses check,coolant check,hoses check,leaks check, thermostat check. Any ideas on what this could be? Heater core? Waterpump?Temp sensor? I can't even seem to locate the waterpump on this car. Really anything would help!!
Thanks

Hi, I had an overheat problem with my '99 about 4 years ago, and the dealer in Ogden Ut. thought they had it fixed three times, and 3 days before they found a bad thermostat???
VW has it stuck in a housing at the outlet of the waterpump, and the entry to the block??? Why, I Asked, and they couldn't give me an answer that made any sense to me! Also, '98 on 2.0 motors are noted for bad waterpumps!(plastic impellers seem to disintergrate over time and plug things up)
Good luck, and get a service manual if it's out of warentee!
Earl

[GatorBeetle]

That was how my '99 was when the impeller on the waterpump shredded at 45k miles...there was simply no flow of te heated coolant, and therefore no heat, and the thing was giving me the "overheating" signal. It was an expensive repair, did the timing belt at the same time, because they are all in the same vicinity.

[blue'99]

Originally Posted by GatorBeetle

That was how my '99 was when the impeller on the waterpump shredded at 45k miles...there was simply no flow of te heated coolant, and therefore no heat, and the thing was giving me the "overheating" signal. It was an expensive repair, did the timing belt at the same time, because they are all in the same vicinity.

I have a great suspicion that the dealer on Ogden found the waterpump bad, and didn't want to admit it to me!
My beetle now has over 82,000 mi. on it, and have had the timing belt changed at 60,000, and the serpentine at 80,000,(did it myself, after the stealer quoted me $165.00 to do it!
By the way, a tool can be made out of a length of 3/4" square tubing,(you choose the length) of about 12-18" the end fits over the 1/2"X3/4" protrusion on the tensioner. and use a hardend pin of the right size to hold the tensioner while replacing the belt! It took me less than 1/2 hr to do, and that included making the bar!!! $165.00 HaHa Earl

[GatorBeetle]

Awesome tip, thanks!! they did my serpentine when they did the waterpump/timing belt service, but that was awhile ago. Cool to know it can be done that easily and cheaply!!

[rcy]

I'd be leaning towards a bad waterpump, rather than the temp sensor, especially since you say you're getting no heat. Your coolant level is correct? If you can get the thermostat out again (and if the Jetta 2.0 is the same as the Beetle) you can reach your fingers in the thermostat hole and to the left and feel the waterpump impeller. If it's broken, you'll know it.

[baddassbug]

you can also use a cresent wrench to change the serpentine belt thats how i did mine

[from Margaritaville...]

You may want to pop off that cover that houses those three large green fuses located inside the small compartment located directly atop the battery. If I'm not mistaken, the fuse on the far left governs the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Check to see if that baby is blown. Could be a VERY cheap fix...

[ms03bug]

Currently I am having the same problem. I have a 03' Beetle and the red temp. light just came on yesterday when it was 50 degress outside and the car was just started up. So I know it was not over-heating. I also tried to get it to heat up today, then I checked it with a temp. gun and it was steady 200-204.

It is still under warranty so I will take it in today and see what they have to say.


Also what specific sensor controls the light?

Thanks. . . . . . . . .

[speedie]

Yep do a search for green temp sensor and will get a ton of threads discussing the false overheating light. Very cheap and easy fix.