What should I do to fix if my car displayed "ac off due to high engine temp" on my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

I was just driving home weather was like in the 20's and messaged displayed saying "ac off due to high engine temp." now the coolant cools then it gets hot.

My car has 69830 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. If this message is coming on then the computer is detecting that the engine is overheating. I would check the coolant level first. If it is low then there is a coolant loss issue. If the level is fine then you may have a bad sensor, or if you have plenty of coolant in the car then you may have a failing thermostat or another issue. The cooling system will need to be diagnosed at that point. If you are going to have this repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the engine is overheating] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-overheating-inspection

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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The AC being off due to high engine temperature symbol means the PCM detects too much heat in your engine or the electric cooling fan stopped working. The A/C is turned off to avoid overheating.
A radiator, which plays an important role in maintaining the engine, could be one of the reasons behind the AC shutting off due to high engine temperature. A clogged radiator will not be able to perform its function of transferring heat from the engine coolant to the air, subsequently causing it to overheat.
It will be the water outlet. The cruze has 3 sensors.
Turn Off the Air Conditioner

It may seem counterintuitive, but when you`re trying to prevent overheating, it may help to turn off your car`s air conditioner. The energy required to power the AC can overload your engine. Then, it can exacerbate an overheating problem.

Three of the most common reasons why HVAC systems overheat are clogged air filters, refrigerant leaks, and dirty condenser coils. These issues force your heater or air conditioner to work harder to produce the temperature and quality of airflow you need, which results in the system overheating.
Notes: 221 °F (105 °C), Engine coolant thermostat housing assembly.
The coolant in affected Chevy Cruz cars can leak slowly, however. In some instances, you may not be able to see actual liquid for some time. The most common symptoms of a Chevy Cruze coolant leak are strange gurgling sounds or a sweet smell in the cabin, either of which can indicate that the car is low on coolant.
Put your car in neutral or park and then rev the engine. This makes the fan and the water pump work faster, which pulls more air and more water through your car`s radiator. This increased circulation cools down the engine.
It`s usually noticed if your coolant is low, but low oil can also cause the engine to overheat. This can occur even if your coolant level is fine. If there is too little oil in the engine, it will continue to heat up because it has no opportunity to cool.
Some air conditioning systems have a reset switch, which is a small, red button. Typically, the button will be on the outdoor unit. If you have a problem locating it on the outdoor unit, you may find relevant details on the equipment`s manufacturer`s manual. Press the red button for three seconds and release.
Your air conditioner`s internal circuitry needs some time to reset after you turn it back on. This can take approximately a half-hour, so sit tight for about 30 minutes. Turn your air conditioner back on at the thermostat. After 30 minutes have passed, turn your air conditioner back on at the thermostat.
You`ll most likely hear a quiet clicking sound followed by air moving through the ductwork. You can also place your hand on a vent to feel for hot or cold air. If you don`t hear or feel anything within a minute or two of making the changes, your thermostat may need to be replaced.
With the engine off, open your hood and locate the water pump pulley. With gloves on, grab it and wiggle it back and forth. There should be no movement, if there is, this along with the noise is a good indication you may have a water pump problem.
If the pump operator is able to bear the heat while touching the external parts of the pump, then the pump is working normally. On the other hand, if the pump is too hot to touch or you can spot steam coming out from the pump, then you can quickly know that it`s overheating.
Can I Still Drive with a Bad Thermostat? The easy answer to this question is no. While your car may be physically able to move and get you from Point A to Point B, you will want to refrain from operating your vehicle. This can lead to more parts of your vehicle being damaged, especially if the engine is overheating.
If you notice that the actual temperature of your room is at least five degrees warmer than your desired temperature and your air conditioning system doesn`t kick on, you could have a bad thermostat. If you`re still using a manual version, use this time to upgrade to a smart model.
Faulty Thermostat

A faulty thermostat might remain closed even when the engine is hot, which can quickly lead to overheating.

One of the most common reasons why your engine overheats when your AC is on is a faulty engine cooling fan, fan switch, or fan motor. A bad engine coolant sensor, an overloaded AC compressor, a broken water pump, and blocked AC condenser fins can also create overheating issues.
The air conditioner can cause an engine to overheat quickly because it makes the engine work harder. Even though it`s hot outside, if you turn off the AC, you may be able to avoid overheating, especially if you take the next step, which we apologize for in advance.
If this light turns on, it means that your vehicle has detected that the coolant temperature is too high. This indicates that your engine is likely overheating. If your engine is overheating, it is recommended to pull your vehicle over to a safe place and turn off the engine for at least 20 minutes.
If this light turns on, it means that your vehicle has detected that the coolant temperature is too high. This indicates that your engine is likely overheating. If your engine is overheating, it is recommended to pull your vehicle over to a safe place and turn off the engine for at least 20 minutes.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

What should I do to fix if my car displayed "ac off due to high engine temp" on my 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
ANSWER : Hello. If this message is coming on then the computer is detecting that the engine is overheating. I would check the coolant level first. If it is low then there is a coolant loss issue. If the level is fine then you may have a bad sensor, or if you have plenty of coolant in the car then you may have a failing thermostat or another issue. The cooling system will need to be diagnosed at that point. If you are going to have this repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the engine is overheating] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-overheating-inspection

I put the wrong key in my car and a few weeks later my car just shut down and it will not start I believe it’s the computer but…
ANSWER : Hi there. What had happened is the wrong key set the security to the vehicle. This is to prevent the vehicle from starting with the wrong keys. Try removing the battery cables (+) and (-) for 13 minutes. During that time, put the original key in the ignition and turn it on. Activate everything in the car even though there is no power. Then remove the key and hook up the battery cables. The computer should have reset and reset the security. If the security is still being tripped, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you

Car not speeding up smoothly, service engine light on when first start driving and car vibrating
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a dirty or faulty mass air flow sensor. The problem this can cause may also be compounded when the engine is cold due to the change in air density in cooler weather. The mass air flow sensor monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. This sensor relays information about fuel and air temperature, air speed entering the motor and many other things to the ECM which uses this to make adjustments to fuel supply to the motor. A dirty or faulty sensor can cause an imbalanced air/fuel load to be supplied to the motor which results in an over fueling or under fueling situation depending on the conditions. This type of inconsistent fuel supply to the motor may cause a hesitation, loss of power, a jerking reaction, potentially a bit of black exhaust smoke and typically a strong smell of fuel when this sensor is malfunctioning. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to your home to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

Check engine light refuses to go off after engine replaced
ANSWER : Hello there, you have a long series of issues going on with your 2013 Hyundai Sonata. If you keep getting a repeating oil light on than there is likely a fault in that system.

Since this fault has lasted after the engine was replaced it could be a oil pressure sensor, wiring harness fault, ECU fault, oil pump, oil strainer clogged, or low oil pressure.

To diagnose this issue properly you need a complete vehicle inspection to start from square one and identify the root cause of all this.

The engine of the car runs, but when I push the gas pedal it does not accelerate, and the engine does not rev.
ANSWER : Hello. It sounds like you may have an issue with your throttle position sensor. This sensor sends a reference voltage to your power-train control module, which uses that to determine ignition timing and fuel trims. If the power-train control module is not detecting the proper signal from the throttle position sensor, the engine may not accelerate properly. It’s probably a good idea for you to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is slow to accelerate inspection first, so they can pinpoint what is causing this issue to occur and they will recommend the right repairs be completed.

Ac off due to high engine temp 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
ANSWER : Hello – there are actually 2 temperature sensors on your engine – the first reports temperature to engine management, which varies fuel mixture based on this and other variables. The 2nd temperature sensor feeds the temperature gauge in the instrument panel, and it should mirror the data engine management is getting. If the gauge reads cold when you have reason to believe the engine is quite hot, check the connector and wiring to that sensor. A disconnect of that wiring will give you a very cold reading. Probably best that both coolant temperature sensors are replaced since have conflicting data, and "false" engine management behavior. Check the problem codes, whether the Check Engine light is on or not. If your vehicle is not longer under warranty, and assistance is needed, I recommend an overheating inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

Am I able to ask to keep the amount of money the insurance is going to pay to fix my totaled car to fix myself?
ANSWER : Hi there. In general, when the insurance company considers the vehicle a ’total loss’, they will send you the settlement amount, minus the deductible. However, every insurance company is different and unique in regards to their own regulations and policies. I would highly recommend calling your insurance company and clarify what they are willing to do to settle your claim.

Reduced engine power and car shuts off
ANSWER : Hi there. If there is carbon build up on the valves in the engine then that can cause a rough running condition and even a check engine light but that will not usually cause the vehicle to stall. It sounds like you have another issue going on here. From my experience with this vehicle most of the time this is caused by a voltage issue. Most of the time it is a loose or dirty ground connection or an issue with the ignition switch. I usually start by scanning the computer for codes to see what is coming up as that can assist in finding the issue. If the codes do not help then the electrical system would need to be diagnosed to see where the power is being lost. If you need to have this looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the check engine light is on and why the vehicle is stalling] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-stalling-inspection