2004 Golf, code P2181
#1
08-23-2012 | 10:40 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1
2004 Golf, code P2181
Recently I have noticed my 04 Golf has been using an excessive amount of gas. Last night the check engine light came on. I took it down to Advanced Auto and had it read, what came up was code P2181, which had to do with engine cooling performance. The guy helping me said it was the temperature sensor and tried to replace it with no luck. He also explained the direct correlation between gas mileage and the sensor going bad. He sent me down to a local shop after purchasing the sensor which was about 10 dollars.
I went in and talked to the guy in the shop and he told me that there was no correlation between the sensor and gas mileage. After reading online I am getting some mixed reviews. Is this guy correct or the one who I initially spoke with?
About 8 months ago the car started overheating after running over a dead deer. The timing belt and (forgive me for knowing nothing about cars) whatever cools the radiator were both replaced. Any idea if it could have anything to do with this? The thermostat in the car appears to be working normally and no other problems are noticeable other than the check engine light and the gas use.
The guy at the shop also said it was roughly 2 hours of work costing 120-150$. Does this sound about right or was the guy trying to screw me?
I haven't been able to get a hold of the guy at the dealership to see if they replaced this sensor when the serviced my VW roughly 8 months ago.
The car has roughly 40,000 miles on it.
Thanks!
I went in and talked to the guy in the shop and he told me that there was no correlation between the sensor and gas mileage. After reading online I am getting some mixed reviews. Is this guy correct or the one who I initially spoke with?
About 8 months ago the car started overheating after running over a dead deer. The timing belt and (forgive me for knowing nothing about cars) whatever cools the radiator were both replaced. Any idea if it could have anything to do with this? The thermostat in the car appears to be working normally and no other problems are noticeable other than the check engine light and the gas use.
The guy at the shop also said it was roughly 2 hours of work costing 120-150$. Does this sound about right or was the guy trying to screw me?
I haven't been able to get a hold of the guy at the dealership to see if they replaced this sensor when the serviced my VW roughly 8 months ago.
The car has roughly 40,000 miles on it.
Thanks!
#2
08-23-2012 | 05:38 PM
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,648
From: Stoke on Trent, England
Welcome to the forum. 
VAG Error Code: 18613
EOBD II Error Code: P2181
VAG Error Code: 18613
EOBD II Error Code: P2181
Fault Location:
Performance Malfunction in Cooling System
Performance Malfunction in Cooling System
Possible Cause:
-
-
Possible Solutions:
Check Engine Coolant Temperature Sender (G62).
Check Coolant Thermostat.
Check Engine Cooling System.
Put the key on, fan speed on 1, and push the a/c switch. Are both fans kicking on? If not, you found the problem.
Put the key on and fan speed on 1 with temperature set to hot. Does heat come out readily from the vents?
No. Probably the water pump is gone.
Yes. Probably the thermostat is gone.
Check Engine Coolant Temperature Sender (G62).
Check Coolant Thermostat.
Check Engine Cooling System.
Put the key on, fan speed on 1, and push the a/c switch. Are both fans kicking on? If not, you found the problem.
Put the key on and fan speed on 1 with temperature set to hot. Does heat come out readily from the vents?
No. Probably the water pump is gone.
Yes. Probably the thermostat is gone.
Special Notes:
Check the stored Freeze Frame data with this fault code. Freeze Frame information will be found in the fault code description (if the module supports it) or in Generic OBD-II if the vehicle complies with those regulations.
Freeze Frame data stored at -40*C is generally an indication of a faulty ECT or wiring.
Freeze Frame data stored at +140*C is generally an indication of a faulty ECT or wiring.
Freeze Frame data stored with in the 68*C ~ 80*C range is an indication that the vehicle was close to, but not within, the cooling systems normal operation range. The Thermostat itself or Cooling system components may be at fault.
Check the stored Freeze Frame data with this fault code. Freeze Frame information will be found in the fault code description (if the module supports it) or in Generic OBD-II if the vehicle complies with those regulations.
Freeze Frame data stored at -40*C is generally an indication of a faulty ECT or wiring.
Freeze Frame data stored at +140*C is generally an indication of a faulty ECT or wiring.
Freeze Frame data stored with in the 68*C ~ 80*C range is an indication that the vehicle was close to, but not within, the cooling systems normal operation range. The Thermostat itself or Cooling system components may be at fault.
As taken from my https://volkswagenforum.com/forum/ge...oftware-34973/
#4
08-28-2012 | 07:42 AM
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,648
From: Stoke on Trent, England
Well you can find you own error codes if you use my app https://volkswagenforum.com/forum/ge...oftware-34973/ which no one on here is interested in.
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