Cars & Trucks Logo
Posted on Sep 28, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

I have a 2004 VW Beetle. I keep getting the engine diagnostic code P2181. This code is not in my manual. What is it?

Answer This Question

3 Answers

Anonymous

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points
Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.
All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.
MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

  • Master 11,896 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 28, 2009
Anonymous
Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points
Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.
All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.
MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Joined: Jan 14, 2009
Answers
11896
Questions
1
Helped
3737842
Points
36075

Trouble Code: P2181

Cooling System Performance Malfunction
Possible Causes:


ECT sensor has failed ECT Sensor (on Radiator) has failed ECT sensor signal circuit is open (inspect wiring & connector) ECT sensor signal circuit is shorted Cooling system malfunction, or the thermostat is stuck Engine not operating at normal operating temperature EOT sensor is damaged or it has failed

boriquais

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.
MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.
New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.
Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

  • Contributor 36 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 30, 2009
boriquais
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.
MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.
New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.
Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Joined: Nov 30, 2009
Answers
36
Questions
0
Helped
9991
Points
48

Check to make sure you have the green CTS (coolant temp switch). alot of cars had a faulty black ones. even the green ones are know to go bad. usually get horrible gas mileage and stuff like that!

Ad

Matthew Boulden

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points
All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.
MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.
Vice President:

An expert whose answer got voted for 100 times.

  • Master 440 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 28, 2009
Matthew Boulden
Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points
All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.
MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.
Vice President:

An expert whose answer got voted for 100 times.

Joined: Jun 21, 2009
Answers
440
Questions
1
Helped
232855
Points
1524

This is the code for cooling system performance. Possible causes could be the wrong mixture of coolant, water pump going out, low coolant level or pressure cap is bad.

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

2helpful
1answer

My car is running codes P0011 and P2181. Can you tell me what that is please. 2004 vw jetta gl
P0011 - Camshaft positioning sensor
P2181 - Engine cooling temperature sensor.
If you have a repair manual (chilton/haynes/etc) these should be fairly simple fixes.
Camshaft positioning sensor for my car was $35 and took about 15 minutes to change.

2carpros.com suggested the P2181 is also fairly easy to replace
http://www.2carpros.com/questions/volkswagen-jetta-2004-volkswagen-jetta-code-p2181-engine-cooling-performance
Read full answer
Jul 24, 2011 • 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
2helpful
1answer

Cooling sistem code#p2181 volkswagen passat the antifreeze is leaking
Replace the ( CTS ) Coolant temperature Sensor. VW oe only...Been updated.

Check the bottle is full. Do not use coolant sealers in this engine! Fix the leak.
Read full answer
Jan 11, 2011 • 2004 Volkswagen Passat
0helpful
1answer

My check engine light came on.the code read is p2181.what is this code?
Cooling system performance.
Read full answer
Jan 03, 2011 • 2004 Volkswagen Beetle
0helpful
2answers

How do you translate what the hand held computer diagnoses to the issue. Hand held said cooling system P2181?
it helps to tell what engine you have, there are 8 engines used in that model., but its a coolant sensor issue. I would pay a shop thats familiar with VW to check it out and recommend repairs.
Read full answer
Dec 03, 2010 • 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
0helpful
1answer

I cross the border very often so after it's been sitting on for about 2 hrs and it gets really hot it throws the first gear really hard. so as i enter the freeway it has a hard problem taking the rest of...
P1281 Fuel metering solenoid - short to earth
this has nothing to do with the gearbox ,have you checked the fluid level ,start engine ,handbrake on reverse gear and check the trans fluid
Read full answer
Aug 22, 2010 • 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible
0helpful
2answers

Were is the cooling Temp Sensor located on a 2004 vw beetle and is there anything special about replacing it. I have a P2181 code and that is the problem.
that code is for cooling system performance. which probably means you need to replace the thermostat. you can get free repair guides on autozone.com for this vehicle that will tell you where the sensor is
Read full answer
Nov 17, 2009 • 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible
0helpful
1answer

Getting ETC p2181 code for vw gti 1.8 t 02
punch one code at a time into google search check related symptoms
Read full answer
Sep 12, 2009 • 2002 Volkswagen GTI
0helpful
1answer

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND SO IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT
I recommend taking your car to your local auto parts store like AutoZone. They will hook up their diagnostic computer free of charge and generate your error codes. They can also decode the codes and tell you what may be the proximate cause. Same thing the VW Dealer will do for a charge of $65 (but AutoZone is FREE). One of the codes probably relates to a bad seal on your gas cap (try removing, cleaning and replacing). One of the other codes might be indicative of a bad oxygen sensor. They cost $20+, so you want to be certain before you start a replacement. There are between 2-3 oxygen sensors on your car.

Sorry I couldn't be more descriptive.
Read full answer
Jun 30, 2009 • 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible
0helpful
1answer

I have a 2003 vw beetle 2.0 and I went to Advance when the check engine light came on. The diagnostic tester said its a P2181 which I found out was a coolant temperature sensor warning, so I paid some...
The ECT sensor is right below the air compartment on the drivers side of the engine compartment. it is sticking up and should have some green on it. I don't have a picture right this moment but i will post one tomorrow. Also the P2181 error code is a Performance Malfunction in Cooling System. It can all be the radiator and or thermostat.
Read full answer
Apr 08, 2009 • 2003 Volkswagen Beetle TDI
1helpful
1answer

03 beetle has chack engine light and the code is P2181
the p2128 code is a Performance Malfunction in Cooling System error and comes from a faulty ECT sensor, radiator issues or a bad thermostat.
Read full answer
Mar 20, 2009 • 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible
Not finding what you are looking for?

View Most Popular

2004 Beetle

  • Cars & Trucks

Related Question

My car is running codes P0011 and P2181. Can you tell me what that is please. 2004 vw jetta gl

  • 2004 Volkswagen Jetta

Related Topics

1,621 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Popular Questions

VW NEW BEETLE HEADLIGHT REPLACE

2000 Volkswagen Beetle

VW COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR

2000 Volkswagen Beetle

Dashboard symbol - triangle with an exclamation

2001 Volkswagen Beetle

Convertible top won't close

2005 Volkswagen New Beetle

Fuse box diagram for a 2000 vw beetle

2000 Volkswagen Beetle

Check Out the Latest Top Trucks Report!
Check Out the Latest Top Trucks Report!

View all Fixya Reports

Top Volkswagen Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Bradley
Bradley

Level 2 Expert

105 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Are you a Volkswagen Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...