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P2181 code 2014 jetta

3K views 15 replies 2 participants last post by  arielleon90 
#1 ·
Just got the car and as you can see already having trouble. So I'm driving to work on the expressway and all of a sudden check engine light turns on. No big deal I thought so I go get it scanned code p2181 comes out cooling system performance. They ask if I have ran the car hot and I'm like no I just got it. Plus how can I tell also if there's no temperature gauge. So we reset it and all is good until today again I'm going to work and turns on again. Have any of you had this happen especially with a practically new car. The car has 76,+miles.

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#2 ·
So we got some cold weather here last night and I turn on the heater on the car. And I wait 10-15mins to warm up and I take off. As I'm driving home I realize that it never got warm inside. So I'm guessing maybe the thermostat is stuck open. Again I'm just guessing. Have any of had this problem. Could it be related to the 2181 code that came on. Like I said it's a 2014 jetta s model. Is to soon for this to happen

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#3 ·
Low Coolant level
Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
Stuck or leaking thermostat
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor harness is open or shorted
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor circuit poor electrical connection

If the thermostat is letting coolant by, the temperature is not "operating temperature"
and will set the warning. If it were sticking closed, you'd get the overheating MIL on
the dash, they don't have one for LOW temperature, so the CEL comes on instead. So,
if you have no heat, then it's running too cold, thus a performance issue. You are also
using more fuel cold, which is also a performance issue. No heat is a sign the thermostat
is stuck open. The only other reason is clogged heater core.

I have a diesel, so I have an electric aux heater that is on till the engine warms up.
 
#4 ·
Let's hope it's the thermostat cause like I said I reset it and the next day it came back on and it's a 10-15min drive from home to work. And the overheating lighting doesn't come on. So my bet would be the thermostat is open like you stated. I looked for a thermostat at autozone and O'Reillyauto but looks like they don't carry it for this year. So I called the dealership and it cost close to 70 dollars. Would you happen to have a website maybe get the same for lower price?

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#7 ·
I got all of my replacement parts for my 2103 TDI on ebay. Everything except the Hood (amazon)
was undamaged. Even the replacement hood was damaged. They refunded me the money, and I
was able to keep both hoods. I can bend out the metal to look presentable, not perfect.

I just got my LH fender brace, and painted it today. Mine is actually not bent as much as I
thought it was seeing the new one. Still, didn't want to bother trying to pull it out. After painting,
it looks perfect.

Just waiting for the LH bumper cover bracket that bolts on to the brace, and I will be able to start
putting my car back together.
 
#8 ·
Guess I'll be ordering soon from either sites you provided. Is it a hassle to get this done on this cars. Like I said this is my first vw vehicle. Also can you direct me in the direction of doing led conversion in and out. I don't really know if these came stock for the license plate lights but mine came with what looks oem leds for the plates.

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#9 ·
These cars are temperamental with LEDs. I was able to do the City lights, and side
markers without setting the bulb-out MIL. When I put LEDs in the tails, I get the MIL
for a bad bulb.

PLATE lights, work fine also. Make sure the lights are OFF when you pull the plate housings, they
will short to the trunk metal and blow the fuse., Turn the lights off, take them out and let them
hang. Remove the incandescent bulbs, then turn the lights on. One at a time, place the
LED in till it lights up, then you know you got the right polarity. When both are done, turn the lights
off. Then put the housings back in the trunk lid, then turn the lights on to verify. If you can find
good COB style paddle lights to fit in, use those. Using LEDs with a half round lens at the top
does not give enough light unless you can find the phillips ones, not the Sylvania, they are not
bright enough. Use ones like this for the plate lights:


They have to be good ones, I bought TEN of them from China, they burned out within weeks.

Interior, also fine, but you'll see the LEDs will be on VERY VERY LOW when you turn the
car off. Also fine, that current is there with regular bulbs too, just not enough to illuminate
them where as LEDs are low power, and they do stay lit, but very very low. Does not drain
the battery.

You need GOOD LEDs, not cheap Chinese ones that cost next to nothing; they stop
working or start flickering within a few months.

Do not use H7 LEDs as your LOW beams, and if you do for highs, get the brightest
ones you can, GOOD brand name expensive ones...
 
#11 ·
As far as I know, they're not stock, unless they're the ones with the LED panels in them.
If they have LED wedge bulbs in it, then they were put in there. Stock ones are hard-wired
LED panels, and you can't replace the LEDs, you would need the whole assembly. You got the
car used, right? Anyhow, you can buy that, starting at $15.99 for the assemblies with LED
panels in them: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Error-Free-...-Volkswagen-Jetta-Passat-Sharan-/121377661204

Did not find any OEM ones with LEDs...

This is what the stock 2011-2014 ones looks like, and they come with incandescent bulbs:


The Hybrids will have LEDs from the factory.
 
#16 ·
Haven't updated this yet but it turns out it was the thermostat that made the light come on and good thing cause last week we dropped down to the high 30s. For some it's whatever but for us down south way south of Texas it's cold for us. But since they changed the thermostat the heater works great now. Weather down here is crazy one day its hot the next cold and so on lol.

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