Fault code for thermostat

[sanoj78]

On my Audi A4 2004 I have a CEL coming and going. No other unusual behaviour experienced with the car. The engine temperature, driveability and all things appear as normal.
I read out the following fault code:
__________
Address 01: Engine Labels: Redir Fail!
Controller: 8E0 906 018 AH
Component: 1.6L R4/2VSIM3 0002
Coding: 0006271
1 Fault Found:
17700 - Map Controlled Engine Cooling Thermostat (F265): Open Circuit
P1292 - 009 - Open or Short to Ground - Intermittent
Readiness: N/A
__________

I'm planning to change the thermostat, but I am unsure whether I must also change other things as well. From the part store looks like there are two options; thermostate and thermostate with housing. It is a substantial price difference on these two.

As I have limited experience with this car and interpretation of the fault system I was hoping for some guidance on what action to take.

[POPO]

Check the sensor that goes into the housing. If the sensor is broken or corroded then you need to change it. Unfortunately the sensor is built into the thermostat housing. I learned this a few months ago.

[OMG_SHARK]

While replacing the thermostat, go ahead and replace the j-plug as well.

[MikTip]

Since OP is in Norway...we need to ask what engine he has? The European Audi's can differ from the USA models....

There is a DIY write-up to R&R the thermostat....

[sanoj78]

Hi. Thanks for reply.
The car spesifications are A4 8E, Engine code ALZ, 75 kW, 1.6 l. Unfortunately it looks to me that this model is not covered very well by the available service manulas (Haynes, Bentley).

To me the message "Open circuit...Open or Short to Ground" from the fault code suggests that there is something electrical. As I understand the thermostat is a pure mechanical thing so my best guess is that the sensor in the housing is bad. Think I will replace the thermostat with housing/sensor and also this J-plug. (Please correct me if i'm lost here...)

[MikTip]

Hi. Thanks for reply.
The car spesifications are A4 8E, Engine code ALZ, 75 kW, 1.6 l. Unfortunately it looks to me that this model is not covered very well by the available service manulas (Haynes, Bentley).

To me the message "Open circuit...Open or Short to Ground" from the fault code suggests that there is something electrical. As I understand the thermostat is a pure mechanical thing so my best guess is that the sensor in the housing is bad. Think I will replace the thermostat with housing/sensor and also this J-plug. (Please correct me if i'm lost here...)

The ALZ 75KW, 1.6l never made it to the USA....

We have the 1.8t.

The vast majority here on this forum are USA based with the 1.8t.

[old guy]

The code is for a short in the thermostat heater. You have a map controlled thermostat. It doesn't have a sensor. I believe the ALZ and APF are similar. Clicky click Before you replace the thermostat hake sure it's plugged in properly.

[wolfdog]

My 4-pin coolant temp sensor went bad recently and I was getting the 1292 code along with the running fans at start up and, oddly enough, an engine that wanted to stall the first second I put my foot on the gas when driving the first 15 minutes or more. What sucked is I replaced that sensor with a new one that was defective. I paid up for OEM instead of the cheapest knockoff I could find! The knock-off also had off dimensions that let it drip quite a lot of coolant to the point it was empty in 2 days. OEM = fine now.