Hello Bug fans! After almost 5 years of trouble free (except for those headlight bulbs that last only a year 
) driving, my bug's check engine light came on.
Of course being a member on the ORG for years I took it to Autozone and received a free code read. The code was p1296 - which thanks to Fowvay from the ORG means something is wrong with the coolant system.
Researching the old forums and doing basic trouble shooting (such as - is the coolant system functioning - clogs, overheating, etc.??..) I determined it was the temp coolant sensor. $9 bucks plus $2 for the seal and my check engine light is off. BIG BIG thanks to the ORG!!
For those looking for a how to, it takes all of 15 minutes... don't let any stealership charge you ~$200 for the repair!
1. Buy temp sensor and O ring. (if you are REALLY cheap I have seen these on E-Bay motors for like $4 - my stealership wants about $9).
2. Recommended while at the dub parts counter get some g12 coolant - just in case you loose alot - you shouldn't, but it would suck having to drive with low coolant in your bug to go get some. (done properly you will lose VERY little - if you are like me - see below - get the g12)
3. On the 2.0 engine the sensor is located on the coolant line coming from the top of the radiator and runs along the right (driver's side) of the engine. On the driver's side of the engine this hose connects to a "junction box" which has the sensor on top and facing the interior of the bug (4 wires).
4. If your engine has been cool for atleast an hour, remove the clip below the sensor by pulling it towards you.
5. Remove the sensor by pulling it away from the hose.
(note: I am a dumbass and let the engine sit for only ~15 minutes...coolant shot out of the hose in a big blast when I removed the sensor - VERY VERY luckly none got in my mouth or eyes - just all over my hands - don't be a dumbass - wait ATLEAST an hour or so)
6. Seat new O-ring on new sensor and make sure it is all the way to the top of the metal part of the sensor.
7. Insert NEW sensor in hose and press firmly downward so it sits in the hole snugly. Replace plastic clip below sensor on coolant hose.
8. Unplug 4 pin connector from old sensor and plug into new sensor - if the pins line up you should hear a tiny click as it locks into place - DON'T force it.
Start Bug - check for leaks around sensor and any other hoses you may have moved during installation.
Now at this point others have said the CEL then turned off on their Bug, or after a few minutes or so. Mine did NOT turn off... so not having a code reader, here is what I did...
Look at the coolant resevior in the upper left hand corner of the engine compartment. There is a two pin sensor connection near the top - unplug this. (grasp plug with thumb and index finger and push, then pull plug out from coolant housing. )
Start your Bug - after a few seconds (me about 20-25) your red temp light should flash and your instrument cluster will beep at you. Turn off engine and reconnect coolant resevior sensor connection. Restart your bug and the CEL should be cleared.
(note: if this was a resevior problem - I would guess that the sensor in/on the resevior would trigger the coolant light, not the CEL - others have seem to have confirmed this. If you get a p1296 you might want to try unpluging this sensor before replacing the coolant hose one. My guess is once the resevior error is cleared by reconnecting it - this clears the CEL. You could of course just find someone with a VAG-COM and do it the right way!)
Now this worked for me, I certainly hope it helps someone else out here on the ORG. I am an electronics technician by profession and I like to tinker with things, but I am NO WAY a mechanic, if you break your Bug you can't sue me or Jeff Croft.
Thanks again to members like Fowvay who posted the codes and others that frequent the ORG!!! You all are awesome.
-Mark
) driving, my bug's check engine light came on. Of course being a member on the ORG for years I took it to Autozone and received a free code read. The code was p1296 - which thanks to Fowvay from the ORG means something is wrong with the coolant system.
Researching the old forums and doing basic trouble shooting (such as - is the coolant system functioning - clogs, overheating, etc.??..) I determined it was the temp coolant sensor. $9 bucks plus $2 for the seal and my check engine light is off. BIG BIG thanks to the ORG!!
For those looking for a how to, it takes all of 15 minutes... don't let any stealership charge you ~$200 for the repair!
1. Buy temp sensor and O ring. (if you are REALLY cheap I have seen these on E-Bay motors for like $4 - my stealership wants about $9).
2. Recommended while at the dub parts counter get some g12 coolant - just in case you loose alot - you shouldn't, but it would suck having to drive with low coolant in your bug to go get some. (done properly you will lose VERY little - if you are like me - see below - get the g12)
3. On the 2.0 engine the sensor is located on the coolant line coming from the top of the radiator and runs along the right (driver's side) of the engine. On the driver's side of the engine this hose connects to a "junction box" which has the sensor on top and facing the interior of the bug (4 wires).
4. If your engine has been cool for atleast an hour, remove the clip below the sensor by pulling it towards you.
5. Remove the sensor by pulling it away from the hose.
(note: I am a dumbass and let the engine sit for only ~15 minutes...coolant shot out of the hose in a big blast when I removed the sensor - VERY VERY luckly none got in my mouth or eyes - just all over my hands - don't be a dumbass - wait ATLEAST an hour or so)
6. Seat new O-ring on new sensor and make sure it is all the way to the top of the metal part of the sensor.
7. Insert NEW sensor in hose and press firmly downward so it sits in the hole snugly. Replace plastic clip below sensor on coolant hose.
8. Unplug 4 pin connector from old sensor and plug into new sensor - if the pins line up you should hear a tiny click as it locks into place - DON'T force it.
Start Bug - check for leaks around sensor and any other hoses you may have moved during installation.
Now at this point others have said the CEL then turned off on their Bug, or after a few minutes or so. Mine did NOT turn off... so not having a code reader, here is what I did...
Look at the coolant resevior in the upper left hand corner of the engine compartment. There is a two pin sensor connection near the top - unplug this. (grasp plug with thumb and index finger and push, then pull plug out from coolant housing. )
Start your Bug - after a few seconds (me about 20-25) your red temp light should flash and your instrument cluster will beep at you. Turn off engine and reconnect coolant resevior sensor connection. Restart your bug and the CEL should be cleared.
(note: if this was a resevior problem - I would guess that the sensor in/on the resevior would trigger the coolant light, not the CEL - others have seem to have confirmed this. If you get a p1296 you might want to try unpluging this sensor before replacing the coolant hose one. My guess is once the resevior error is cleared by reconnecting it - this clears the CEL. You could of course just find someone with a VAG-COM and do it the right way!
) Now this worked for me, I certainly hope it helps someone else out here on the ORG. I am an electronics technician by profession and I like to tinker with things, but I am NO WAY a mechanic, if you break your Bug you can't sue me or Jeff Croft.
Thanks again to members like Fowvay who posted the codes and others that frequent the ORG!!! You all are awesome.
-Mark
