Will a bad thermostat cause your check engine light to come on?
The most noticeable issues occur when the thermostat gets stuck in either the open or closed position. A malfunction can result in a trouble code, generated by the engine’s computer, which can turn on your check engine light.
Can thermostat affect engine?
Continuing to Drive with a Bad Thermostat A thermostat that has failed and is stuck closed can cause your engine to overheat resulting in major damage. Do not drive your car if it is running hot.
Why is my car overheating after changing thermostat?
Why is my car overheating with a new thermostat? Your car could be overheating with a new thermostat for a variety of reasons including a faulty water pump, worn belt, clogged radiator, faulty radiator cap or air in the cooling system.
What to do when your car thermostat needs to be replaced?
To ensure air is removed from the system, run the engine for about 10 minutes with the heat on. Take a test drive and watch the engine temperature to confirm your repair, and then after a couple of days, check the coolant level. It’s normal for the reservoir to need a little top off.
How can I tell if my car thermostat is broken?
Once a thermostat breaks, there are a few signs that give it away. If the thermostat fails and gets stuck open, it will always circulate coolant. You will see this as an engine that is slow to warm up, or doesn’t reach operating temperature. On newer vehicles, this will trigger the “check engine” light.
How does the thermostat work in a car?
As the engine warms up, the coolant gets hot, and the thermostat opens. This allows the coolant to circulate through the radiator and back to the engine. Here’s a full breakdown of the thermostat and other cooling system parts. While the vehicle thermostat is a durable part, it’s surrounded by hot coolant and subjected to engine vibrations.
Why does the Check Engine light come back on after replacing the thermostat?
His reader indicated it was a thermostat problem. I just want to know why the check engine light came back on after the thermostat was already replaced. If the check engine light is coming on and a code like P1217 is in the computer then the computer is seeing an overheat conditions from the coolant sensor telling it your engine is overheating.