2003 Volkswagen Golf Logo
Anonymous Posted on Aug 06, 2009

Check Engine Light - P2181

Check Engine light was on for O2 sensor (P0036/P0141). Had the O2 sensor replaced a week and a half ago. The light has been off since it was replaced.

Today, right after starting up, the engine misfired, check engine light was blinking, within 30 seconds the light was off again. Within 20 minutes, the check engine light was back on. Read the code P2181. Cleared the code and drove 40 miles and it has been out ever since.

Read that this could be a number of things from thermostat to heat sensor to water pump. Any ideas on this? The car has 183k miles and the timing belt/water pump were replaced at 110k.

  • Anonymous Sep 11, 2009

    Even though I had those replaced at 110k miles, you are recommending that I replace them again?

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  • Posted on Aug 06, 2009
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Hi,first thing your cambelt and tensioner should have been replaced 13k miles ago,it would pay you to replace the water pump at the same time as they are known for impellor failure = cooling system fault=P2181 code,hope this helps.
Darren

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