Pulled a code. Any ideas?

[GetAudiHere]

Alright so this code seems to be haunting me. Im at college and it seems to go away if i dont drive the car for awhile, but as soon as i drive it for like 50 miles it comes on.

P1296 Malfunction in cooling system.

Any ideas what could be causing this? and how much it will cost to fix?

[GetAudiHere]

bump. anyone?

[as4driver]

Seeing that im awaiting some help myself i will share with u what i found.

You need to check or replace thermostat or the engine coolant temp sensor

[B5A4Kevin]

that fault is usually a stuck thermostat. the fault generates when it takes an excessive amount of time for the vehicle to reach operating temperature. i have also seen a vehicle down here in fl that caused it for a water pump, as well as a tt with an inop primary cooling fan (thermostat was also replaced)

this can also be a faulty coolant temp sender. first, let your car run for 15-20 min or till it reaches op temp in dash. and feel the hose to the d/s of the block under the intake manifold, where the thermostat is.. if it is cold and your other coolant hoses are hot, its thermostat. b5s are not electronic unlike b6's, so it is cheaper.

[Audi Skate Snow]

that fault is usually a stuck thermostat. the fault generates when it takes an excessive amount of time for the vehicle to reach operating temperature. i have also seen a vehicle down here in fl that caused it for a water pump, as well as a tt with an inop primary cooling fan (thermostat was also replaced)

this can also be a faulty coolant temp sender. first, let your car run for 15-20 min or till it reaches op temp in dash. and feel the hose to the d/s of the block under the intake manifold, where the thermostat is.. if it is cold and your other coolant hoses are hot, its thermostat. b5s are not electronic unlike b6's, so it is cheaper.

yep.

those are your two culprits. pretty east fix and fairly inexpensive