Engine Temp Fault

[Guest]

I have just taken a drive to Blackpool to do some visiting.  About half way up I had to stop for services.  Outside air temp was 0 (car display)

Just after leaving the services my amber engine warning lit up and very shortly after that a red warning light in the Temp gauge window, the red light just above the digital display window lit up and the display showed 'High Engine Temperature'.   Pulled over, shut down, examined what I could, coolant levels OK, no belts gone, no noises preceded or after.

After those checks put the key in and turned to pre-start position.  Gauge back to normal, red lights off, digital display normal.  Started OK, but engine amber still on.

Drove away.  Did about 10 miles - exactly the same again.  But this time I had the wife film it and I noticed the gauge went from normal to peak in about 5 seconds.  Rather than build up over time.

Pulled over, shut down etc.  Gave it a minute.  Restarted.  Normal.

It repeated this periodically and I did the same action each time.

Just as I came off the M55, I noticed it had stopped happening.  Amber engine light still on.

Next day, the car was left alone - not run.  Day after that.  Into car to return journey.  Did a couple of miles and stopped to get something from a shop.  Got back in car and started up.  Amber light has gone.  Car did the trip back from Blackpool event free  (Maybe it didn't want to go back to Blackpool)

Anyone had similar??    Sticky Thermostat maybe, tricking the monitoring system feeds??  Electrical trickery??  Or has the low ambient temp got an input here.  I'm going to leave it for now as the thermostat looks difficult to get to and it's working fine for now.

[Guest]

Hi Tony,

Speaking as an owner of a temperamental Big Cat I would say she did not want to go to Blackpool. That said however if you can get hold of a code reader it would help to trace the fault back to specific components and help you avoid a lot of head scratching.

Cheers,

Steve

[Guest]

OK buddy, I think that is one for my 'to buy list'

This car is really lovely, but when things like that happen - the first thought in my head was - will this be the terminal problem.  Here's hoping for years of good service

Thanks for your input, much appreciated

Tony

[JAGGAR]

Had same problem on my 06 X-type was the water pump fitted new one all ok now   

[Guest]

Well, still no idea what it was - It never did it again and it's had a couple of good long runs since.  I cleared the code and it hasn't re-logged it either.

Happy days

[mike_msch]

Faulty thermostat or temp sensor. My thermostat was stuck open (luckily). But i did have the same symptom as you. A infrared thermometer gun will help. If the water temp is consistently about 100 degrees after 20 mins then it is your thermostat. However if your temp drops down to about 94 degrees and then raises back up to about 96 degrees (roughly) then you need a temp sensor.  But first you will need to shop on amazon for a temperature gun (£17.99). Or just have both replaced.