Car dies then won't start.

[jerrad]

In the morning I can start my car(92 tsi) and it'll fire up fine, idles great, everything sounds good. If I don't let the car get to 180f+ and I try to drive it the car will die almost instantly. Once it does die I can't restart it for 5+ minutes. If the car is warmed up I can kill it and it will start back up no problem, seems like it has something to do with the temperature.

I read another thread that said the coolant temp sensor might be the issue but that's all I've found so far.
Anyone have any similar issues that you've resolved?

Thanks

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

It does sound like a coolant temp sensor problem. That's pretty common with these cars. You can unplug the sensor and use a multimeter set to ohms to test the sensor. Your readings should be as follows at the given temperature:

32* - 5900 ohms
68* - 2500 ohms
104* - 2700 ohms
176* - 300 ohms

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Or, just replace it for a few dollars and see if it fixes it. If nothing else, you have a new coolant temp sensor and you KNOW that's not the problem. But yes, it does sound like a Coolant temp sensor issue.

 

[jerrad]

Thanks for the quick replies gentlemen.
Hopefully that'll fix the issue.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Try whichever method suggested and get back to us with details for further assistance. Once we narrow down at least 1 possibility, it's easy to zone in on the issue. If the first guess is right, though, how much better can it get?

 

[jerrad]

Haha, I have my fingers crossed for sure.
Is it the temp sensor just below the T-stat housing?

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

That, I can't recall, as I've gotten accustomed to 2G's and have forgotten exactly which sensor the 1G ECU uses on the Thermostat housing. Maybe Gravedigger can chime in on this one.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Is it the temp sensor just below the T-stat housing?

Yeah, it should be a two wire sensor on the bottom of the t-stat housing.
This thread has a good picture in the first post.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/bol...location-aftermarket-coolant-temp-sensor.html

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Good Info. +1.

 

[jerrad]

That's the one I was talking about.
Thanks again for all the help.
I'll swap it out after work and post the results.

Well, looks like Orielly's decided to sell me the wrong sensor.
The sensor the gave me has 2 prongs but they are shaped like an "L".
Out to a great start.

Here's what I'm looking at. Just making sure I'm swapping out the right sensor.

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[jerrad]

Well, swapped the sensor out and while it helped the issue is still there.

 

[doayamaha]

The one that they gave you I believe is the correct one it is below the one you are pointing at in the picture and has two spade connectors that look like a "L" I believe that is the one going to the ecu could be wrong on this one thogh I always get the two mixed up

 

[jerrad]

The one below is the one that goes to my temp gauge(I think).

 

[doayamaha]

Pretty shure the top one goes to the guage check it start the car let it warm up the unplug the top sensor and see if the guage goes away

Yep did a little looking lower one is for the ecu

 

[jerrad]

On my lower one it has a single threaded stud coming out. It goes to my aftermarket water temp. gauge it looks like. Here is the pic of the sensor on the bottom.

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I have a sensor on the back side of the housing that doesn't have a connector going to it. Anyone have a clue to what it is?

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[GRAVEDIGGER]

The top one is the one for the a/c, so if you replaced that one you replaced the wrong one. The one you want is the two wire one on the bottom.

These are what the locations are.

*edit* now that I reread post #10 I be they gave you the RIGHT sensor, because the connector consists of two wires and the terminals come together to make an L like you said.

 

[jerrad]

If you look at this pic VVVV the brass sensor with the single copper wire is in place of the CTS. I still have the little coolant temp gauge and wire right next to it. Anyone have any ideas on what to do? Looks like the previous owner decided to replace the CTS with the aftermarket water temp sensor.
Would the car run without the cts?

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[doayamaha]

Wow yeah you need to get that sensor from oriely's again and put it in that location and hookthat factory connector to it should solve the problem

 

[jerrad]

I wonder if the connector is still hanging around somewhere. Hope the guy didn't just snip it off.

 

[doayamaha]

It would be comming out of the harness the same place that all the other plugs are that or he cut the plug off for some reason and then you would have to put two female spade connectors on there if that is the case let me know and I will tell you which wire goes where

 

[jerrad]

Well, I found it. The retard just unscrewed the sensor and was letting it hang next to the motor.
I guess I get to re-install it tomorrow and replace the AC thermoswitch.
Any tips on mounting the new water temp gauge sensor?

 

[doayamaha]

Depending on what voltage equals what temp for the aftermarket guage you may be able to tie in with the factory temp sensor

 

[jerrad]

I think I have it figured out. My aftermarket water temp sensor is threaded into the larger brass sitting to make up to the housing.
It looks like the smaller fitting is the same size as the stock water temp sensor. Looks like tomorrow will be a fun day.
Thanks for the help, it's alot easier when you have multiple eye's helping.

 

[doayamaha]

But to let you know what was probly happening with the car not running right when the sensor is bad or unplugged the ecu uses something like a fail safe of something like -32 degrees to make the car full rich so what was happening is the car was probley flooding out

 

[jerrad]

But to let you know what was probly happening with the car not running right when the sensor is bad or unplugged the ecu uses something like a fail safe of something like -32 degrees to make the car full rich so what was happening is the car was probley flooding out

I'm thinking the sensor is still working. I think the reason the car starts fine when the car is hot is because the underhood temps heat the sensor enough to register and to lean it out.

That's just a slightly educated guess.
Thanks again for the help.