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- Fixes
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- What Are Common Car Failure Searches?
- What Do My Dashboard Warning Lights Mean?
- Why Does My Car Drive Weird?
- Why Does My Car Make Noises?
- Why Does my Car smell?
- Symptoms Without Summary
- Car Leaking Coolant
- AC Isn't Cooling
- AC Blowing Hot Air
- Shaking While Driving
- Overheating AC
- AC Smells Like Vinegar
- Heater Not Working
- Windshield Wipers Don't Work
- Car Leaking Water
- Car Leaking Red Fluid
- Car Battery Leaking
- AC Only Work Sometimes
- Shaking While Idle
- Shaking At High Speeds
- Evap System Leak
- Shaking While Braking At High Speeds
- Shaking When Stopped
- Shaking When Accelerating
- Radiator Leaking
- Pink Fluid Leaking
- Car Leaking Oil
- AC Not Working.
- Car Leaking Gas
- Power Steering Fluid Leak
- Bad Brake Caliper
Hey, Why Is My Car's Engine Temperature Warning Light On?
If you are short on time and want to fast-track the process to professional help, click Yes
Is Your Car's Engine Temperature Warning Light On?
The engine temperature warning light basically says, “We’re overheating.” Commonly, the car might be running low on coolant. But it can also be an airflow clog-up, broken fans, or leaks.
Are you noticing the engine temperature warning light on your dashboard? This light is an essential indicator of something wrong with your vehicle. But don't worry; paying attention to your car's behavior and understanding how to communicate it with your local auto shop helps you assess the problem before it worsens.
In this article, we're going to focus on common causes of the engine temperature warning light. We'll also give you tips on communicating with a mechanic in case you seek professional assistance. So don't wait; read on and better understand your car's needs.
Let's Get To The Bottom Of It!
- The thermostat controls the flow of coolant in the engine based on temperature. It only opens whe...read more
The thermostat controls the flow of coolant in the engine based on temperature. It only opens when the engine gets hot enough. But if the thermostat wrongfully remains open, extra coolant flows through the engine, not allowing it to get hot enough to run correctly. This can cause emissions problems.
If you notice the red check engine light on the dashboard, gurgling sounds from the engine compartment/under the dashboard, and steam coming from the hood, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.
- Your car's engine temperature light informs you of something wrong with your car's cooling system...read more
Your car's engine temperature light informs you of something wrong with your car's cooling system. If the light comes on, there's not enough coolant to keep the engine cool. It could be because of a leak in the cooling system since the coolant's quantity should never change.
If you notice fluid puddles of different colors in your vehicle's parking spots, the red check engine light on the dashboard, pinging sounds from the engine, and heater malfunction save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.
- The engine cooling fans help keep the engine cool by blowing air over the radiator. They turn on ...read more
The engine cooling fans help keep the engine cool by blowing air over the radiator. They turn on when the engine gets too hot, usually around 210 degrees, and turn off at 195 degrees. They also operate when the air conditioning is active to help cool the condenser.
If you notice the engine overheating during traffic stops, A/C malfunction, lack of fan noise when driving the vehicle, and steam coming from the hood, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.
- The water pump is a car part that moves coolant through the engine and radiator, cooling the syst...read more
The water pump is a car part that moves coolant through the engine and radiator, cooling the system. It gets power from a belt, chain, or motor. The water pump has bearings and seals that can wear over time, leading to leaks. If the water pump is worn out, coolant may leak out of a small hole (weep hole) on the engine, requiring replacement.
If you notice the heater malfunctioning, A/C malfunction, red check engine light, gurgling noises from the engine/dashboard, and steam coming from the hood, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.
- The radiator keeps your engine cool by removing heat from the coolant through airflow. The coolan...read more
The radiator keeps your engine cool by removing heat from the coolant through airflow. The coolant flows inside the radiator, and air flows over the outside fins, transferring heat away. Any restriction in the air or coolant flow makes it harder for the radiator to remove heat from the coolant. Consequentially, your engine overheats.
If you notice the heater malfunctioning, A/C malfunction, pinging sounds coming from the engine, red check engine light, gurgling noises from the engine/dashboard, and steam coming from the hood, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.
- The engine coolant temperature sensor tells the car's computer the current engine temperature. Th...read more
The engine coolant temperature sensor tells the car's computer the current engine temperature. Then, the computer uses this information to control fuel usage in the engine. The engine may use unrecommended fuel quantity if the sensor is not working correctly. This can affect your car's fuel efficiency.
If you notice the red check engine light, coolant temperature light, heater malfunction, and temperature gauge underperformance, save this information; they're essential if you go to an auto shop later.
Find Professional Help
Please select your vehicle's brand and location so we can locate the best professional help for youVehicle Health Inspection Proof
Explore the following typical inspection results that show a potential cause for the symptom and select the one you believe is similar to your vehicle's issue.
Low coolant
Thermostat failure
Defective cooling fans
Leaking water pump
Restricted airflow
Faulty coolant temperature sensor
This image shows the degas bottle with a low level of coolant. They need to refill the fluid and fix any leaks in the reservoir.
A customer came to the auto shop because the red coolant light on their car's dashboard became active earlier that day. They also noticed a small amount of fluid under where they parked the vehicle.
The technician did not test drive the car because of the red coolant light. So they did not want to cause further damage to the vehicle.
During a vehicle health inspection, the technician found a low coolant level. Plus, they noticed a leak from a bypass hose. They also found that the coolant was somewhat acidic.
The technician did not need to do additional tests, and the customer wasn't charged for extra diagnostics. Finally, the technician replaced the bypass hose, coolant, and thermostat, since the overheating damaged them.
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This image shows a scanner's screen displaying low coolant temperature. They'll need to perform additional tests to find out why.
A customer came to the auto shop because the check engine light on their car's dashboard was active. Plus, their car's heater took a long time to warm the interior; it only warmed faster when driving at highway speeds.
During a test drive, the mechanic verified the customer's concern and found the check engine light on the car's dashboard. Plus, the heater was not blowing warm air as it should.
During the vehicle health inspection, the technician found nothing related to the customer's concern. So, the customer approved additional tests.
During additional diagnostics, the technician found a stuck-opened thermostat. The technician also found that the engine's operating temperature wasn't reaching 185 degrees; note that a standard thermostat opens at 195 degrees.
So, the thermostat wasn't allowing the engine temperature to rise, and the technician replaced it and its housing.
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This image shows the radiator cooling fan. In this case, the fan is defective and requires replacement.
A customer came to the auto shop because their air conditioning only worked at highway speeds. They also noticed that the coolant temperature warning light flashed on the dashboard several times during traffic stops on the freeway. Still, the warning didn't appear when driving at highway speed.
The mechanic did a test drive, discovering that the air conditioning didn't work well at slow speeds. So, to avoid an overheating issue, the technician cut the test drive short.
During a vehicle health inspection, the technician noticed that, although the air conditioning compressor was operating, the cooling fans weren't. As a result, the low-side hose was cool initially, but its temperature grew as it ran longer in the service bay.
Additional diagnostics were necessary, and the customer approved them. Then, the technician used a specialized scanner to test the cooling fans. In this process, they found that the radiator cooling fan wasn't working.
Next, while the fan was active, the technician used a digital voltmeter to test the cooling fan wiring voltage. Again, they discovered a lack of battery voltage at the fan connector. Finally, the technician concluded that the cooling fan was defective and needed replacement.
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This image shows a crusty reaction to a water pump leak. They'll need to replace the pump as it's currently causing low coolant levels.
A customer came to the auto shop after noticing a red, light, and thin fluid under their car when they left it parked for a while. They weren't aware of any other issues or symptoms.
During a test drive, the technician found a small puddle of coolant under the vehicle. Then, when performing a vehicle health inspection, they found low coolant levels in the system. Plus, the coolant was acidic, and the water pump had a leak point.
The technician informed the customer that the water pump and coolant needed to be replaced. Plus, no additional diagnostics were necessary.
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This image shows a badly dirty car grill. This debris occupying the space between the condenser and radiator restricts airflow, risking overheating.
A customer came to the auto shop because the coolant temperature light flashed intermittently on their car's dashboard. Plus, the air conditioning was considerably weaker than it used to be. They also noticed a lot of bugs and weeds on the grill.
During a test drive, the technician noticed that the air conditioning wasn't efficient; no other issues were noted. So, they performed a vehicle health inspection.
In the inspection, they discovered many grasshoppers and debris blocking the airflow between the condenser and radiator. So, there was no need for additional tests.
The customer approved additional costs to clean the debris from the system to restore the air conditioning performance.
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This image shows the coolant temperature sensor. In this case, this part is malfunctioning and needs replacement.
A customer came in with concerns about their car's fuel efficiency. They noticed that they were getting 26 miles per gallon instead of their usual 28 on their daily commute. They thought it might be time for another tune-up.
The technician did a test drive and found nothing out of the ordinary with the car's performance. There was no hesitation or lack of power.
During the vehicle health inspection, the technician didn't find any issues that would affect fuel efficiency. So, additional tests were necessary.
The technician conducted additional diagnostics at the customer's request to investigate further. They found that the coolant temperature sensor gave false readings and needed to be replaced. This was likely causing the fuel efficiency to decrease.
6/6Typical Fixes to Address the Cause(s)
The following chapters bases themselves on experiences from our auto repair shop; we'll describe related problems' causes and fixes.
The AutoTechIQ ranking for Safety, Cost Avoidance, and Environmental Impact is
Vehicle Symptoms
Below are just a few examples of typical Symptoms and Fixes your car might be experiencing
Other things your auto repair shop might talk about:
Water and ethylene glycol. Engine oil. Coolant system. Coolant fault. Engine damage.