Volkswagen Jetta City Temperature gauge is maxed out Inspection at your home or office.

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Temperature gauge is maxed out Inspection Service

How much does a Temperature gauge is maxed out Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Volkswagen Jetta City Temperature gauge is maxed out Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2008 Volkswagen Jetta CityL4-2.0LService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
2007 Volkswagen Jetta CityL4-2.0LService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2009 Volkswagen Jetta CityL4-2.0LService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
Show example Volkswagen Jetta City Temperature gauge is maxed out Inspection prices

Your car’s engine needs to maintain the right operating temperature. As it runs, it creates immense amounts of heat. Coolant is circulated through the engine to absorb heat, and then it goes back to the radiator, where the radiator fan helps wick away the collected heat. Once cooled, the coolant is then sent back into the engine to do it all again. This should keep your engine in the normal operating temperature range, but if your temperature gauge is maxed out, there could be something seriously wrong.

How this system works:

The temperature gauge in your dash is connected to the car’s computer and from there to a temperature sensor on the engine block. The sensor measures the temperature of your car’s coolant (it uses resistance, but the actual resistance values can vary drastically from one automaker to another, and from one model to another).

The information read by the sensor is sent to the car’s computer, which adjusts the temperature gauge and also plays a role in the cooling system. Depending on the temperature level, the radiator fan will cycle on and off. As the temperature of your coolant rises, the needle in your temperature gauge should rise, moving from cold to normal. However, it may move all the way to hot in some cases.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Low Coolant: The first suspected cause of your temperature gauge maxing out is low coolant. If this occurs, your engine can overheat, and serious damage can result, up to and including cracking the block. However, if the engine isn’t actually hot (the temp gauge is maxed out but there’s no abnormal levels of heat from the engine), this isn’t the problem.

  • Broken Temp Gauge: If the temperature gauge is maxed out but the engine isn’t actually hot, then the problem may be a broken temperature gauge. The needle may be stuck in the hot range (this can happen after overheating the engine), or a stepper gear in the gauge may be damaged.

  • Failed Temp Sensor: If the temperature sensor on your engine block has failed, it may not send any information to the system, or it may send an erroneous signal, causing the gauge to rise without any actual overheating. It’s also possible that the sensor is shorting.

  • Failed Thermostat: If your car’s thermostat sticks in the closed position, coolant will not fully cycle through the engine, and it will begin to overheat. Your temperature gauge will rise quickly, particularly if it is very warm outside.

  • Cooling Fan Motor Failure: If the motor for your radiator cooling fan fails, it will not cycle on. This reduces the amount of airflow over the radiator, meaning that much of the heat is retained by the coolant, and it will not be able to absorb more from the engine.

  • Bad Fan Switch: Another reason your radiator fan might not be working is a bad fan switch. This switch controls the cycling of your radiator fan(s), and if it fails, it can cause overheating.

  • Air in System after Coolant Service: If you’ve recently had your engine coolant drained and refilled, it’s possible there’s air in the system. Air bubbles can form and block coolant from cycling through the engine, causing it to overheat.

What to expect:

A professionally trained mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to inspect your car’s temperature gauge and other components. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic will inspect the coolant level of your vehicle, as well as the temperature sensor and other components in order to determine the cause of the gauge maxing out. It may be necessary to test drive the vehicle and verify if the engine is actually overheating, or if the problem lies with the sensor or the gauge.

How important is this service?

If your car is actually overheating, it’s a very serious problem that could quickly lead to engine-killing damage. Even if the problem is just a malfunctioning sensor or gauge, the issue is still serious, as you will have no means of observing the actual temperature of your engine coolant. One of our professional mechanics can inspect and repair your system.

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Chris

11 years of experience
82 reviews
Chris
11 years of experience
Volkswagen Passat L4-1.8L Turbo - Temperature gauge is maxed out - South Plainfield, New Jersey
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27 years of experience
578 reviews
Joseph
27 years of experience
Volkswagen Tiguan L4-2.0L Turbo - Oil Change - Sugar Land, Texas
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Grzegorz

41 years of experience
473 reviews
Grzegorz
41 years of experience
Volkswagen Jetta V6-2.8L - Starter - San Francisco, California
I was in the middle of replacing the starter to my 97 VW Jetta all on my own, and the end was in sight. I had successfully taken the starter out, so I just needed to reverse my steps and install the new one. Little did I know, that the hole for the top 8" bolt was slightly misaligned (no wonder it took a bit of tugging and pulling to take out) and getting it back in was near impossible. Since it was so long, it went through the starter, transmission chassis, and then into a motor mount chassis. I tried to raise the motor via various jack points along the engine/transmission, but nothing would allow me to get the bolt back in. I was pretty frustrated and at my wits end. Enter Grzegorz. Grzegorz arrived on the scene and instantly started loosening all the motor mount bolts that held the entire motor/transmission in place. He was even able to loosen one of the motor mounts that I was unable to, as well as quickly locate 2 other motor mounts to loosen as well. Once that was done, I helped him slowly jack up the transmission as he was looking down the bolt shaft w/ his mirror. After he told me to stop, he was able to insert the bolt problem free. Everything after that was downhill and a piece of cake. I was extremely impressed with Grzegorz's knowledge of cars, specifically what motor mount bolts needed to be loosened, as well as his wide array of tools that he had at his disposal. He had a special ratchet or wrench for every occasion, and knew how to use them as well. His services are perfect if you're a big DIY guy like I am, and end up finding yourself in a tight spot. Sometimes walk-throughs and online car forums can only get you so far. To get you the rest of the way, you need a mechanic like Grzegorz from YourMechanic.

Joseph

17 years of experience
68 reviews
Joseph
17 years of experience
Volkswagen GTI L4-2.0L Turbo - Oil Change - Boca Raton, Florida
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