I've owned my 6n2 for about 8 months now, it was never great on fuel and the engine management light came on so I took it round to a garage and it came up with 2 errors, bank 1 lambda sensor and the coolant temp sensor. I have been and bought a replacement Bosch lambda sensor and was wondering if it is something that I can replace myself as I am very low on cash? Any pics/ detiailed instructions would be. Great help. I know the basics about cars but i'm not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination.

I have ordered the coolant temperature sensor from my local VW dealer as I was told only to get a standard replacement as aftermarket ones are a lot of hassle. Same applies for this. I know the location, just a walkthrough would be great for this too.

Thanks in advance

Edited 16 May, 201313 yr by jakerwalton

The bank one should be the one at the top of the manifold.

If you look into the engine bay, your exhaust manifold is closest to you - 4 pipes going into one. In the middle of these pipes there should be a cable, this is your lambda sensor.

It needs to be removed using a special socket - you can get them from Halfords, etc, or borrow if you can. It's got a slot down the side so you can get the cable out while you turn it.

Really easy to do though.

Coolant temp is the same. If you're looking at the engine, on the right hand side is the radiator hose - there's 2 of them.

The top one, if you follow it back to the engine, the black "block" that the two pipes go onto, there is a cable with the sensor. It's held in with a little plastic clip, pull it out. It slides out, basically.

Pull on the old sensor (with the cable removed, it's just a little tab you push and then pull the cable). Make sure you get the old o-ring out with the sensor.

You'll loose a little coolant; if you do it really fast (pull the old one and quickly check for the ring and push the new one home), you won't loose too much.

Don't do either when the engine is hot - you'll end up with sore hands..

The bank one should be the one at the top of the manifold.

If you look into the engine bay, your exhaust manifold is closest to you - 4 pipes going into one. In the middle of these pipes there should be a cable, this is your lambda sensor.

It needs to be removed using a special socket - you can get them from Halfords, etc, or borrow if you can. It's got a slot down the side so you can get the cable out while you turn it.

Really easy to do though.

Coolant temp is the same. If you're looking at the engine, on the right hand side is the radiator hose - there's 2 of them.

The top one, if you follow it back to the engine, the black "block" that the two pipes go onto, there is a cable with the sensor. It's held in with a little plastic clip, pull it out. It slides out, basically.

Pull on the old sensor (with the cable removed, it's just a little tab you push and then pull the cable). Make sure you get the old o-ring out with the sensor.

You'll loose a little coolant; if you do it really fast (pull the old one and quickly check for the ring and push the new one home), you won't loose too much.

Don't do either when the engine is hot - you'll end up with sore hands..

Cheers for all that. I have located them both and gone to do it but I can't get the wiring clips off. Is there a technique or do i just force them?

Push the tab kinda down and towards the back.

So, looking at that picture, the tab goes down and then towards the top right corner of the picture?

Then pull the two connectors.

Once you've done one, you can do them all. :)

Yeah pretty straight forward mate. Squeeze the tab and it will allow it to unclip.

You've done the right thing buying a Bosch & OEM sensor too.

Thanks guys. Got the coolant sensor sorted and topped it up. Can't believe how easy it is when you know! Going to get the lambda sensor done after work and then I have an almost healthy car!

Fair play for getting stuck in! :)

Do you need a socket?

Can't you just use a spanner?

Do you need a socket?

Can't you just use a spanner?

I was told I need a specialist socket, but I think if I disconnect the wiring connecter then I should be able to thread it through my normal socket and use a spanner on the end of the socket because my spanners won't fit in the gap. Will see what I can do though.

Anyone know of any other common faults I should check out? I've also spotted my front brake hose has cracked which is apparently common with the 6n2 which is next on the list

I managed to get my lambda sensor changed after about 3 hours of crawling around underneath my car trying looking intelligent. The coolant sensor is still making the engine management light come on even after it has been replaced. Anyone have any idea of any deeper problems that could be causing this? The readout from the diagnostics states it is the ooolant temperatture sensor and it is intermittent rather than persistent. Its fecking annoying!! Help pleaseeee