Coolant temp display for T6 Startline with VCDS

[Fin5150]

Hi. My van is a professionally converted, ex AA, 2018 Startline DSG 150 and I love it to bits. But, one thing that really annoys and baffles me is that there is no engine coolant temperature display on the instrument panel and I cannot understand why VW would have thought it reasonable to leave such a crucial reading from their “entry level” trim spec vehicle.

Anyway….I might be wrong, but I assume the relevant sensors and wiring, etc will be present within the engine itself and it is just the instrument cluster itself that does not display the reading….So I was wondering, if it would possible to code it in somehow, to display the coolant temperature where the ambient temp, MPG, ave. speed etc etc are displayed (again, having all these readings available, but not coolant temperature, is unforgivable) and selected via the selector buttons on the wiper stalk, so I can see my coolant temperature.
I have the full VCDS module and software, but am not sure if there is an option anywhere to code it in.

Has anyone tried this or even know if it’s possible, or is the only route via upgrading the instrument cluster or installing digi dash aftermarket clocks?

Cheers

 

[Dellmassive]

You get a red warning light is it's too hot.

But you can't use an app on your phone.

A BT dongle on your phone.

And an app like Torque.

.. .

 

[manfrotto]

Are you saying that your van does not have a temperature gauge on the dash.....

 

[Dellmassive]

Start line clocks are more basic.

.


.

 

[Fin5150]

Are you saying that your van does not have a temperature gauge on the dash.....

I am indeed Unbelievable right?
I’ve been on VCDS all afternoon and although I can access, oil temp, oil level, even oil quality! coolant temp, coolant level and almost every parameter you could ever wish to know…..there seems to be no way to code the coolant temp to display on the instrument cluster!
New clocks it is then, I guess…….

 

[mmi]

New clocks it is then, I guess…….

I'm afraid the new clocks won't help with your desire of actual/factual data....

Post in thread '[T6_measured] Winter specialities'

11 Feb 2024

Not exactly a winter speciality - but easier to spot when cold.


@1370 seconds of the log.

Dash coolant temperature gauge (red) vs. actual engine coolant temperature (green)​

Engine and cabin preheated, thus coolant at +30 °C at engine startup.



As explained in VW SSP 311 The Transporter 2004 Electrical system



Also mentioned:

Coolant Temperature Readout

Today, I noticed that the coolant temperature gauges were out of sync! The analogue one didn't move off zero for several minutes and the digital one appeared to lag behind the analogue gauge.....so when the analogue gauge eventually got up to 90 degrees, the digital gauge was only reading 60...

www.t6forum.com

• mmi

• 

 

[Dellmassive]

Lol.... Yeh, very true.

The coolant gauge give a flat level 90c.

The oil temp is more accurate for live data.

 

[JumpShip]

Some indication of coolant temp would be better than just a 'too hot' light though.
I use a seperate obd gauge

 

[Fin5150]

I use a seperate obd gauge

Can you point me to what you use? Thanks

 

[Sasquatch]

One of Antony Charnley's virtual dash conversions would give you a coolant temperature gauge...?

 

[Fin5150]

I'm afraid the new clocks won't help with your desire of actual/factual data....

FFS lol. It seems that a simple coolant temp display is something VW don’t want us to have!
Even my missus’ little Fox has a temp gauge for crying out loud!!

 

[Fin5150]

One of Antony Charnley's virtual dash conversions would give you a coolant temperature gauge...?

Is that the Everest guy? Or someone else? Thanks.

 

[Dellmassive]

FFS lol. It seems that a simple coolant temp display is something VW don’t want us to have!
Even my missus’ little Fox has a temp gauge for crying out loud!!

I suppose VW decided that you'd don't need to know..... Unless you're need to know.

Ie a red stop engine light.

 

[mmi]

I suppose VW decided that you'd don't need to know.....

Just imagine how many phone calls they would have received about failing coolant thermostats

 

[Sasquatch]

Is that the Everest guy? Or someone else? Thanks.

Yeah, the everest chap. Itd be worth asking him.

 

[JumpShip]

Can you point me to what you use? Thanks

Masses of options available, I either use my phone and torque app or i have a cheap Chinese thing from amazon for quick and easy KPH read out when abroad, temp, EML etc
Google obd2 gauge , some big and ugly , some not so bad .

 

[Fin5150]

Yeah, the everest chap. Itd be worth asking him.

Cool, thank you! Have emailed him. The digital dash is a bit flashy for my liking, but I guess if it gives me the info I’m after, I can live with that. It’s cheaper than the genuine VW clocks too!

 

[Sasquatch]

Im hoping the board underneath is the same, or similar, and just doesn't have the meter plugged into it. If that were the case it should work, although I wouldn't put it past VW to try and save money dispensing with the gauge by spending millions developing a different board!

 

[manfrotto]

You could grab all the temps you want from the OBD port and display them on the MMI via carplay.
This is what I have (now added DSG oil temperature as well)

 

[Fin5150]

You could grab all the temps you want from the OBD port and display them on the MMI via carplay.
This is what I have (now added DSG oil temperature as well)

Nice. My van doesn’t have a coolant gauge……you think it’s got the MMI?
It was specced with the 150 engine, 7 sp DSG, A/C, but they left it with poverty level clocks and head unit?