YOUR RESEARCHStrange Overheating Alarm When Cold on Startup 987.2
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1 matching discussions · 7 captured posts examined · 1 partial discussions
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7 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
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Generation: 20261026T113718Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I have a 2009 2.9L with 77K miles shown. A couple of weeks ago i noticed when I started it cold, before the idle would drop, the gauge would go full tilt, light and alarms go off. After a couple of panics on the road, I've had it happen, shut it off real quick, give it 5 seconds and restart, then its fine. Could this be an electrical sensor issue or is it the thermostat failing?
That would be some kind of electrical bug.
Thank you!
IIRC if the coolant level is low the temp gauge will go full scale and light the warning, so check that. Like, if the red light is flashing it’s low coolant and if it’s solid it’s overheating. Or vice-versa: it’s in the owner’s manual.
Agree with Gubi. Had a relative's 2011 do the same thing. Solution was to add coolant since it was low. Never had the problem again.
Agree with the others - low coolant will do this. I had this happen at the start of winter. Add some distilled water (or mix) and you'll be fine. When the weather gets cold, the fluid contracts and causes the level to drop... happens on every car - just that these cars are sensitive to the level due to the sensor and the LARGE quantity of coolant.
That was it! I added water and will do coolant later. Thanks!
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