Thanks for the tips.  Do I measure resistance by connecting ohmmeter to the
connector tip of the temp sensor and to ground?

Also, I looked at the connecting wire to the temp sensor, and it looks
suspect.  Do you know if I can test the resistance of the sensor at the
instrument cluster, so that it will show if there is a wire problem along the
way?

Thanks for your help.
Peter
In a message dated 4/4/02 9:54:36 PM, afox@cnr.colostate.edu writes:

<< >
> high heat problem.  Is there a reliable engine heat measurement?  Do I swap
> out temp sensor?

Yes, the way shops measure the temperature is with an infrared
thermometer.  You point it at anything and it gives you its temperature.
I heard you may be able to buy one at radio shack for $50.  Otherwise go
to a shop where they dont rip people off(very hard to find) and WATCH THEM
use this tool to see how hot you're really running.  Don't swap the temp
senosr without actally knowing how hot you're running.  My experience is
that the gauge is crap and its probably at fault.

Given that most of your cooling system is new you should not be running
hot.  Read Ben Huot's post earlier today about the cooling system and
the  new VW temp sensor, very interesting.  Here are resistance values for
the temp gauge sensor to see if your gauge is operating incorrectly.
Don't know if these have changed since VW came out with the new sensor:

32F 5,000-6,000 Ohms
68F 2,000-3,000 Ohms
104F    1,000-1,500 Ohms
140F    500-675 Ohms
176F    275-375 Ohms
212F    150-250 Ohms
 >>