Temp sensor works whilst still, and drops zero whilst driving?

1. Luke-vts L-plater Joined: Feb 2010 Rutland Posts: 36 saxo vts 51

   #1 26th February 2010, 22:52

   Hi guys really stuck with this one,
   My temp sensor seems to work fine whilst the car is still, and never overheats, sits nicely in the middle.
   When i drive at say over 40, the needle starts to drop to zero and stays there. After a while red warning light comes on?
   It never overheats just reads zero all while i'm driving? and i've had no other symptoms?
   Anyone else had this before?
2. johnnyg_vts Established Member Joined: Dec 2006 Fleetwood Posts: 2244 2002 Saxo VTS

   #2 26th February 2010, 23:10

   thermostat stuck open?
3. Railroader Established Member Joined: Dec 2009 Bolton Posts: 1068 Saxo 1.4i sx

   #3 26th February 2010, 23:22

   sure theres enough water in it? If rad is full up check for air in system and bleed it
4. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

   #4 26th February 2010, 23:47

   Could it be a faulty dial?
   
   If you check the resistance across the sensor, and post it with a rough guess at the temperature at the time can see if the sensor itself sounds to be working okay
5. Mochachino Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card

   #5 26th February 2010, 23:52

   When your stationary does the needle slowley rise to half way or does it go immediatly?
6. Luke-vts L-plater Joined: Feb 2010 Rutland Posts: 36 saxo vts 51

   #6 27th February 2010, 12:59

   Thanks for the reply's guys. I had the water changed at citroen the other week, so wouldnt have thought it had air in the system (well you'd hope not hey). The guy at the garage said he thought it was the sensor itself? but was unsure due to no other problems occuring.
   After driving the temp sensor tends to sort of jump to the middle in small sections?
7. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

   #7 27th February 2010, 13:02

   test the sensor with a multimeter
   
   http://106owners.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=128777
8. paxo89 Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2007 Watford Posts: 590 Boosted 16v VTR

   #8 27th February 2010, 13:12

   My car also does this but the temperature rises slowly when stationary and the needle sits flat when driving along. This has been since i fitted a vts engine and nissens rad at the same time, so don't know the history of the s engine, and what condition of thermostat was that came with it. I get no warning lights and always just assumed that the rad was amazing
   Is it actually a problem?
9. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

   #9 27th February 2010, 13:13

   Sounds fine to me tbh.
   
   The fan come on when it gets hot ?
10. paxo89 Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2007 Watford Posts: 590 Boosted 16v VTR

    #10 27th February 2010, 13:15

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by raunchz Sounds fine to me tbh. The fan come on when it gets hot ?

    yup as it used to, between half and 3/4
11. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

    #11 27th February 2010, 13:22

    sounds fine !!!
    
    I wouldn't worry tbh !

    1 user thanked this post: paxo89
12. Luke-vts L-plater Joined: Feb 2010 Rutland Posts: 36 saxo vts 51

    #12 28th February 2010, 22:31

    hopefully its nothing serious then, i'll get the sensor tested first and go from there. thanks guys
13. bluenotesmiley Established Member Joined: May 2008 Thanet, Kent Posts: 1529 White MkII VTS Black MkII VTS

    #13 1st March 2010, 01:26

    My new VTS does this same thing and I thought it was a problem but reading this I am now unsure. All temperature sensors were changed too and this didn't cure the issue.