I stupidly did a check engine reset and now my temperature gauge is running hot
I tried to reset my check engine light by removing the positive battery for 5 minutes to get it to turn off. Well that did not work because it corrected itself initially but popped back on but what I noticed after doing this is my A/C must have been affected because now my cars temperature gauge is going from normal cold to hot. My coolant is low at minimum but m not sure what's causing the A/C to act up so I'm going to buy DexCool coolant to see if that help. Any thoughts?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. By unhooking the battery you may have thrown off the programming in the vehicles computer. This commonly occurs if not done correctly. As for the check engine light that can be on for a number of things and the only way to properly diagnose, repair and turn it off is with a computer scan tool. The computer needs to be scanned for code. WIth those codes the system can be diagnosed and it all may be related. If you are looking to have this repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the check engine light is on] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
RE: Temperature rise a motor after shutdown
When you shut the engine off you lose water circulation and the water in contact with the hot engine parts will get considerably hotter than when there was circulation.
The most obvious sign of an overheating engine is a rising temperature gauge, especially if the check engine light also comes on. Smoky steam coming from under the hood means that the coolant has bubbled out of the radiator and that you need to pull over immediately – or major engine damage may occur.
The most common reasons for your car temperature gauge going up but not overheating are due to temperature sensor failure, a broken temperature gauge, engine control unit failure, corrosion in connectors, or damaged wires feeding to the sensor or gauge.
If the temperature gauge goes to the high mark and stays there, you may have a malfunctioning engine coolant temperature sending unit or sensor. Typically, this can be caused by a malfunctioning sensor, a broken wire or bad corrosion along the circuit.
Yes, your car can overheat even without a thermostat. The thermostat allows the engine to come up to normal operating temperature faster by shutting off or restricting the flow of coolent in the engine. When your engine is up to operating temperature, the thermostat is completely open.
An overheating engine won`t resolve on its own, even if it seems to be fixed after you add a little coolant. It will only get worse if left unaddressed.
The most common cause of faulty temperature readings is a broken coolant temperature sensor (CTS). The part, which is normally located near a vehicle`s thermostat near the base of the radiator (consult your owner`s manual or repair guide) can get gunked up and fail.
If you notice that your engine overheats, the coolant temperature sensor could be the problem. At times, the coolant temperature switch may fail such that it starts transmitting hot signals permanently. This causes the computer to erroneously counterbalance the signal, thereby causing the engine to misfire or overheat.
Only Use Water In The Radiator In An Emergency
If it`s really low or actually empty, you need to add fluid to your vehicle. While it`s ideal to add a 50/50 mix of coolant and water (or a pre-mixed coolant), if you absolutely have to keep driving, you can add water to the radiator to get you to your destination.
If the gauge begins to go up more than it usually does, you may have cause for concern.
Running-on is when the engine continues to turn after you`ve switched off the ignition because the fuel /air mixture is being ignited by a hot-spot in the combustion chamber .
If your car`s temperature gauge needle is moving up and down sporadically, Shums Auto Repair advises that the thermostat may be malfunctioning. When the thermostat gets too old, which is usually after seven to 10 years, it may no longer be able to detect the engine`s temperature correctly.
The open and closed positions of a thermostat. The thermostat`s main job is to allow the engine to heat up quickly, and then to keep the engine at a constant temperature. It does this by regulating the amount of water that goes through the radiator.
If the coolant leaks out too much, the computer will see this from the coolant temperature and coolant level sensors and shut off the engine to prevent any damage to the engine.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I stupidly did a check engine reset and now my temperature gauge is running hot
ANSWER : Hello. By unhooking the battery you may have thrown off the programming in the vehicles computer. This commonly occurs if not done correctly. As for the check engine light that can be on for a number of things and the only way to properly diagnose, repair and turn it off is with a computer scan tool. The computer needs to be scanned for code. WIth those codes the system can be diagnosed and it all may be related. If you are looking to have this repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the check engine light is on] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection
Water gauge showing red hot, but engine is not hot…..is it a sensor if so which one?
ANSWER : Hi there. There are several coolant sensors for the supra; ac, fan, ecu, and gauge. It sounds like you may need the gauge sensor, but a wire harness or gauge issue could also be the culprit. This is a single wire sensor and may match the ac coolant sensor in the same vicinity. The two sensors have different colors on the top with the gauge usually having an orange or red color. It seems like the sensor has shorted internally and is causing the gauge to read improperly. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to determine if the sensor is faulty and avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with a temperature gauge is maxed out inspection.
Check engine light on, temperature goes to hot, noisy engine, car shuddring and turns off.
ANSWER : Fault codes need to be read out from the engine computer. There is a technical service bulletin (TSB) out by Lexus that points to a faulty thermostat causing a Check Engine Light, and that the thermostat should be replaced based on the fault codes stored. The engine coolant would need to be drained, refilled, and then bled after the repair. You may want to enlist the help of a mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will have the tools and training to complete this repair. Please note: never attempt to service the engine cooling system while the engine is hot or the system is pressurized, as doing so could result in serious injury.
Why is my air system blowing out hot air in spurts and why is the temperature gauge nearing hot while in use?
ANSWER : This can be caused for a variety of reasons such as a malfunctioning thermostat, a radiator not flowing properly, a faulty coolant temp sensor or AC refrigerant not properly being supplied to the AC compressor. Your car’s AC system puts a heavy strain on your car’s engine when it runs as it requires a lot of power to run. When the AC compressor comes on it puts additional strain on the motor that may be already struggling to stay cool as a result of any of the issues named above. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your home to diagnose and repair.
I have a 96 Ford ranger with cel p0340 I have recently done a timing belt, engine runs great replaced cmp sensor cel still on
ANSWER : Hi There,
This may happen for a couple of reasons. First, check to be sure that the connections to the sensor are clean and not faulty or broken. Secondly, check to be sure you replaced the correct sensor as there are two camshaft position sensors in some applications. If you need further help with this, please reach out to us here at YourMechanic as we are always here to help.
This may happen for a couple of reasons. First, check to be sure that the connections to the sensor are clean and not faulty or broken. Secondly, check to be sure you replaced the correct sensor as there are two camshaft position sensors in some applications. If you need further help with this, please reach out to us here at YourMechanic as we are always here to help.
Problems with heating with check engine light on
ANSWER : On the 528’s, there is an electronically controlled heater valve that can stick closed, blocking heated coolant from entering the heater core. Replacing this component will mean the coolant system would need to drained, filled, and bled.
You may want to enlist the help of a mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will have training and equipment to not only replace the valve but to properly fill and bleed the cooling system.
Please note: never attempt to service the engine cooling system while the engine is hot or the system is pressurized, as doing so could result in serious injury.
Honda Pilot engine misfire when cold out and engine running warmer than usual?
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a faulty coolant temperature sensor. This sensor relays the temperature of the coolant back to the ECM which uses this information to control many things such as when to turn the coolant fans on and off as well as how much to adjust the air to fuel ratio in the motor. Both of these functions are affected when this sensor is not working properly. If the senor is reading incorrectly, this may cause inaccurate temperatures to be read, thus causing inaccurate adjustments to be made to fuel and to the operation of the cooling fans (i.e. staying on too long or not coming on soon enough to help keep the motor cool). I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
It sounds like you may have a faulty coolant temperature sensor. This sensor relays the temperature of the coolant back to the ECM which uses this information to control many things such as when to turn the coolant fans on and off as well as how much to adjust the air to fuel ratio in the motor. Both of these functions are affected when this sensor is not working properly. If the senor is reading incorrectly, this may cause inaccurate temperatures to be read, thus causing inaccurate adjustments to be made to fuel and to the operation of the cooling fans (i.e. staying on too long or not coming on soon enough to help keep the motor cool). I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
Problem with the coolant temperature gauge.
ANSWER : Hi there. The temperature gauge is not grounding out to the vehicle chassis. Try putting an additional wire on the housing of the temperature gauge and grounding it to the chassis. If this has no effect, then the gauge is not working and would need replaced. If you need further assistance with your temperature gauge, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
