VW Polo Temp Sensor Causes Multiple System Failures

Had similar issues on a 2015 VW Golf TDI. Vehicle temperature sensor replacement was required after diagnostics showed inconsistent readings. The symptoms matched exactly, AC malfunction, mirror heating issues and frozen washer nozzles. The sensor diagnostics revealed the temperature readings were incorrect, causing the control modules to get wrong input signals. The car temperature sensor was failing intermittently, which explained why sometimes systems worked fine and other times they acted up. The repair involved replacing both the main temperature sensor and checking all related wiring connections. A full system reset was needed after the sensor replacement. This is considered a moderate repair job since the sensor itself is not expensive, but accessing it requires some disassembly. The most critical part is ensuring proper installation and calibration of the new sensor. Worth noting that driving with a faulty temperature sensor can lead to more serious issues if left unaddressed, as multiple vehicle systems rely on accurate temperature readings. Best to have it checked by a qualified technician who can properly diagnose and verify if the vehicle temperature sensor is indeed the root cause.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had the same temperature sensor malfunction in my Polo last spring. Got it fixed and all those frustrating electrical gremlins disappeared right away. The sensor replacement completely solved the temperature monitoring issues and everything works perfectly now, AC, mirrors, the whole deal. Just wondering about the total cost you ended up paying for the repair? Mine was moderately priced but would be good to compare. Also, has everything stayed working properly since the vehicle temperature gauge and sensor were replaced or have you noticed any new problems popping up?

Great to hear you got those temperature-related issues sorted out. After seeing the mechanic, they diagnosed and fixed a faulty connection in the outside temperature sensor wiring, total cost was 95€ for the repair and testing. This turned out to be more straightforward than a full sensor replacement since the sensor diagnostics showed the component itself was fine, just the cable connection needed attention. Everything has worked flawlessly since the repair was done six months ago. The vehicle temperature gauge reads correctly, AC performance is back to normal, and the mirror heating functions as intended. Most importantly, no error codes have returned. The sensor monitoring system now provides accurate readings to all the dependent vehicle systems. For anyone else facing similar symptoms, its worth mentioning that proper sensor diagnostics saved money in this case, sometimes its just a connection issue rather than needing a complete sensor replacement. The key is getting an accurate diagnosis before replacing parts.

Thanks everyone for the helpful feedback. After dealing with this ongoing issue, I finally took my Polo to a mechanic last week. The outside temperature sensor was indeed the culprit. Total repair came to 220€ including diagnostics, parts and labor. A bit more than I expected but worth every cent. The mechanic showed me the old sensor which was completely corroded. After the sensor replacement and recalibration, all the problems cleared up immediately. The AC now works perfectly, my mirrors heat up properly in cold weather, and those annoying washer nozzle freeze-ups are gone. Plus no more error codes on the dash. Really glad I got this fixed before winter. The car runs so much better with proper sensor calibration. Would definitely recommend getting temperature-related issues checked out promptly rather than letting them drag on like I did. The peace of mind knowing everything is working correctly now is worth the repair cost.