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AUdi TT engine code P2181

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Frank Rowe

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Dec 27, 2009, 5:02:02 PM12/27/09
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Just acquired a 2003 TT Coupe for my daughter. Hd it 2 days; it's now
showing a Check Engine light
Took it to Autozone to get scanned, they tell me the code is P2181 and
that it means low coolant.

According to
http://www.hallsautoonline.com/obd_ii_code_definitions.htm, it means
"Cooling system performance""

BUT - coolant tank is showing 3/4 full. I tried disconnecting the
battery for 10 sec to reset the codes - no change. I _did_ manage to
reset everything else, but hte check engine light is still on.

Also - there's a constant hum from near the cooling fan - looks like a
small inline pump in the coolant line. It doesn't seem to shut off -
was running nearly an hour after we returned from the store.

What's happening here?

Frank Rowe

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Dec 27, 2009, 5:06:06 PM12/27/09
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Oh, BTW the temp guage reads fine while driving - just below
mid-guage. The car is _not_ overheating.

TonyJ

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Dec 27, 2009, 11:32:44 PM12/27/09
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Check the coolant filler tank to see if it is low. If so fill with Audi
coolant from the dealer. Do not use an alternative from the local parts
store. There are alternatives but you would need to research which ones
are acceptable.

If it looses coolant again you will need to find and correct the leak.

If the coolant is not low you probably have a bad coolant level sensor
(located at the bottom of the coolant tank.

Eric Shune

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Dec 28, 2009, 1:25:47 AM12/28/09
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"Frank Rowe" <r0we'south@bell'south.not> wrote in message
news:uklfj591mn5fana1d...@4ax.com...

I had the same problem on my 98 A4 so I changed the expansion tank and all
was well after. It was most probably a faulty sensor in the tank.


David Skelton

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Dec 31, 2009, 1:19:26 PM12/31/09
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>
> Also - there's a constant hum from near the cooling fan - looks like a
> small inline pump in the coolant line. It doesn't seem to shut off -
> was running nearly an hour after we returned from the store.
>
> What's happening here?
>

Hi,

We had two 1.8 TT coupes, and they both had an electric pump running after
the ignition was switched off for a while. I never timed it to see how long.
I believe that this pump is for circulating coolant through the hottest
parts of the engine until they have cooled enough.

We had a 1989 Renault 5 GT Turbo that had an air pump that would run for up
to an hour after the engine had been turned off.

HTH

David

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Alastair Grant

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Jan 15, 2010, 6:16:52 PM1/15/10
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The sensors can get clogged up. Open up the expansion tank and there
will be a couple of prongs in there, just rub them down with a
screw-driver or something to get any gunk off them. Should resolve it.

Make sure you've had a cambelt & water pump change done on that car if
it hasn't been done already.

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