How do i replace a coolant temperature senser on a 2001 volkswagen jetta with the 2.0 liter motor?

P0118 for Volkswagen - (ECT) Engine Colant Temperature Circuit High

Symptoms:- Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)

Possible causes:
(Inspect the following... Repair/Replace if necessary)
- Low engine coolant level
- Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor harness is open or shorted
- Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor electrical circuit poor connection
- Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
- Faulty engine coolant thermostat

P0118 VOLKSWAGEN Description: The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor is used to detect the engine coolant temperature. The sensor modifies a voltage signal from the Engine Control Module (ECM). The modified signal returns to the (ECM) as the engine coolant temperature input. The sensor uses a thermistor which is sensitive to the change in temperature. The electrical resistance of the thermistor decreases as temperature increases.
When is the code detected?:When an excessively high voltage from the sensor is sent to ECM.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you need further assistance.

Just ahead of the starter the knock senser just screws into the side of the block. The problem is it screws into the engine coolant and the coolantr will come out then you remove the old senser. even if you frain the raditor coolant will still be in the engine ( quite alot) and you'll need to catchir in some way. You can get about 2 gallons. The messly way to do it is to ( with the engine cold) loosen the senser till you can turn it by hand. With the new senser in th=your other hand remove the senser and quickly screw the new senser in. You'll almost certainly get coolant on you so be eady, covering your eyes and arms ( glasses and a raincoat) you do it quickly eniugh very little mess will be made. The plug just squeezes and pulls off. Knock sensers seldom fail but the connection and the wires do. Someone replaceing the startercan hit the senser and break it. Don't drop the senser as the fall can break it too.

The exact locations and picture of Engine Coolant Temp (ECT) sensors on 2001 VW Jetta TDI:

1. ECT sensor 1 placed on cylinder head:





2. ECT sensor 2 placed on the left bottom side of the radiator:

P1296 is a cooling system malfunction. The two things that will set this DTC is a defective Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor or the thermostat.

COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR LOCATED COOLANT PIPE NEAR THE COOLANT OUT LET.

VW DTC 17704 (P1296) - Cooling system malfunction.

Coolant Temperature Sensor (CTS) is faulty and reading an incorrect temp'.

Replace with the new version of the sensor, clear the code.

If indicated coolant temp' is too low the thermostat is sticking open.

volks 2001 1.8 T wolfsburgh . overheats to dangerous levels just after 2-3 min. of driving . let it cooldown an hour , drove again same thing 2-3 min. noticed fans not working , tried to crank the heaters inside , mostly cold air come in. easy fix or not?

the 'comb' is a thermometer,it's the 'hot'light,indicating high temperature of coolant.check coolant level,check for leaks.

disconnect the cooling fan temperature sensor on the engione that turns on the fan, if the fans runs the switch/sensor is defective.

here is a picture of where it's located on your jetta: