Coolant temperature alert and fluctuating gauge?

Tiny
CRAIG22CJW
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 AUDI Q3
  • 2.0L
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 60,000 MILES
Coolant temperate gauge on dashboard will fluctuate from mid to high, then returns to mid, then go down to low, then back to mid, then go high again. It fluctuates no matter what speed the car is driving. When the gauge goes high the “coolant temperature!” Will alert and asks that the car must be stationary with the engine running.

The engine does not seem to be overheating (no smoke and the bonnet is not hot to touch). The engine fans are working. The only other strange thing is the inside climate control / air vent heating has not been working too great recently (takes ages to reach high temp and a couple of vents don’t seem to pump out strong air even when on high).

I’ve read so many conflicting troubleshooting. Some say it could be a faulty temperature sensor. Some say it is a faulty thermostat.

I just can’t see how the engine is “overheating” if the gauge fluctuates between low/mid/ high - surely it would stay on “high” if the engine was staying overheated?
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Saturday, January 28th, 2023 AT 9:49 AM

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Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
Please allow the engine to cool completely then open the radiator car and coolant reservoir cap to check the coolant level, it sounds like it is low.

Here is a video to help with instructions for your car in the images below:

https://youtu.be/GSE9skKnOgY

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-engine-and-battery-pack-antifreeze-levels

If it is low, then you have a leak.

Here is a guide to help with that as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Sunday, January 29th, 2023 AT 12:47 PM

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