Audi A3 Temperature Issue (Car running cold)

ands45

ands45

Expert Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2008
Messages
1,563
Reaction score
846
Location
Cape Town
Hi All

So wondering if anyone has some advice. I bought a new car and noticed it has an issue with the temp, in which it is running cold. The temp hardly ever goes up as it should (to middle or 90), the only time it does is when sitting still idling or in slow moving traffic. Even then as soon as the traffic opens up it drops down again slowly.

I have gone back to the dealership to query it as I would assume it is either the thermostat or a temp sensor. First they tested it (I assume in slow traffic) and it was fine so they sent it back to me, upon querying it again they have said they will "research" the issue and if it is a problem sort it out for me.

My question is could it possibly be anything else as they apparently did a scan and nothing came up. I really want to get it sorted out quickly because the car is heavy on fuel due to running cold.

Thanks
Andrew
 
Is that brand new or new to you, but used? Had a similar problem on a jetta I use to have...
With that one the thermostat/thermo switch by the radiator need to be replaced. Inexpensive part, lots of labour. So unless its under motor/maintenance/warranty take it somewhere else.
 
Nithan15 said:
Seems like your Thermostat is stuck open
Click to expand...

Agree that's my thought as well

Venomous said:
Is that brand new or new to you, but used? Had a similar problem on a jetta I use to have...
With that one the thermostat/thermo switch by the radiator need to be replaced. Inexpensive part, lots of labour. So unless its under motor/maintenance/warranty take it somewhere else.
Click to expand...

Sorry, is used (just new to me). Well the dealership needs to sort it out as I have just bought it from them, they just don't seem to be able to pick up the problem so wanting to guide them on where to look.
 
ands45 said:
Agree that's my thought as well



Sorry, is used (just new to me). Well the dealership needs to sort it out as I have just bought it from them, they just don't seem to be able to pick up the problem so wanting to guide them on where to look.
Click to expand...

I think they are just trying to avoid the costs...
 
Look if it's not saying on 0 I wouldn't exactly call it unusual.

Now if it was dead and the dial never moved that's a different story.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Look if it's not saying on 0 I wouldn't exactly call it unusual.

Now if it was dead and the dial never moved that's a different story.
Click to expand...
It should go to 90 quickly and stay there else the thermostat is borked
 
Sinbad said:
It should go to 90 quickly and stay there else the thermostat is borked
Click to expand...

What is your idea of quickly?

****

I see the general spec for VAG is to be at operating temp under 10 minutes or so.

Convinced mine took way longer but can't say for sure now as it's also been replaced in the last year anyway.
 
Last edited:
My Cruze gets there in 5 min, the Polo about 5 to 10 min and my Astra was also 5 min.
A lot of cars don't even have temperature gauges anymore so can't tell on the Spark
 
Lupus said:
My Cruze gets there in 5 min, the Polo about 5 to 10 min and my Astra was also 5 min.
A lot of cars don't even have temperature gauges anymore so can't tell on the Spark
Click to expand...

TDI will take slightly longer, especially if outside air temp is cold.
 
If you turn your heater on full inside the vehicle does it get hot or just warm ?
 
SauRoNZA said:
What is your idea of quickly?

****

I see the general spec for VAG is to be at operating temp under 10 minutes or so.

Convinced mine took way longer but can't say for sure now as it's also been replaced in the last year anyway.
Click to expand...

Mine takes 5 mins. With the water-cooled exhaust manifold it's very quick. TDI took a bit longer. Depends which A3 it is I suppose.
 
SauRoNZA said:
What is your idea of quickly?

****

I see the general spec for VAG is to be at operating temp under 10 minutes or so.

Convinced mine took way longer but can't say for sure now as it's also been replaced in the last year anyway.
Click to expand...

10/15 min in winter for my A3, I’m often at the office before needle reaches the middle.
 
I have a diesel. After about 4 Min of stop and start driving in the morning, followed by 3 Min on the highway, the oil temp starts to move. After a further 2 or 3 minutes, it's at normal operating temperature.

What blowdart asked about the heater air temperature is useful to see if the water is actually running cool, or the dial is just lying about it...

When the car should hypothetically be at normal temperature, put the heater (no A/C) on maximum and see if the air is nice and hot. If so, perhaps a sensor or the gauge itself could be at fault. If the air is luke warm, then the stuck thermostat could be over-cooling the water.

(Putting the heater on maximum is also a useful trick if your car is overheating. Engine water gets fed through an additional radiator which might cool the water enough to limp the car home)

Sounds to me like a stuck thermostat as earlier stated.
 
SauRoNZA said:
What is your idea of quickly?

****

I see the general spec for VAG is to be at operating temp under 10 minutes or so.

Convinced mine took way longer but can't say for sure now as it's also been replaced in the last year anyway.
Click to expand...
Mine is taking longer than that and even if it does get to temp it just starts dropping again if the road opens up. I took a video of it here https://youtu.be/1QVlyl7K9sc

Definitely think the thermostat is stuck open that's why the temp drops when moving cause of the cold air flowing over radiator
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X