What does it mean when your DIC says your engine is too hot?
When the DIC displays this alert, it means that the coolant in the engine is too hot, and the engine is not able to cool properly. While it is safe to drive the vehicle when the DIC shows this alert, the air conditioning will be automatically shut off to reduce stress to the engine.
Can a bad coolant temperature sensor keep the car running?
Your symptoms are a dead ringer for a bad engine coolant temperature sensor (ECT). The computer is calculating an air/fuel mixture that is too lean. That’s why pumping the gas pedal keeps your engine running. You can have a bad sensor even without a “check engine” light or trouble code.
Is it safe to open the coolant cap?
Check your coolant level, but don’t do it until your engine has cooled down. This usually takes about half an hour. If you remove the radiator cap or open the coolant reservoir before the engine has had a chance to cool sufficiently, the buildup of steam inside the cooling system could give you a very nasty burn.
What does the a / C off due to high engine temp message mean?
What does the A/C Off Due to High Engine Temp message mean? The A/C Off Due to High Engine Temp message can appear on your driver information center (DIC). When the DIC displays this alert, it means that the coolant in the engine is too hot, and the engine is not able to cool properly.
Is it safe to drive with the coolant temperature warning light on?
Is it safe to drive with the coolant temperature warning light on? While the car is still driveable, you run the risk of causing significant damage to the engine by letting it run too hot. As mentioned earlier, if the light comes on, you should pull over as quickly and safely as possible.
Can a low coolant level cause an engine to overheat?
Low Coolant level. A low coolant level will in most cases cause an overheating engine. However, if the coolant has gone low, you do most likely have an internal or external coolant leak on your engine.
What to do when hot coolant comes out of radiator?
Wait for the engine to cool before removing the radiator cap–or the reservoir cap if there’s no radiator cap. This will prevent hot coolant from gushing out and burning your skin. Find the petcock towards the bottom of one of the radiator tanks. On some vehicles, you need to raise the front of the car to gain access to the petcock from underneath.
What causes coolant to boil on hot engine?
Removing the cap from a hot engine will cause the coolant to start boiling and the steam will most likely burn you. Once the engine has cooled, check the overall fluid level of the coolant. If the level is low, you can add just water temporarily so that you can drive somewhere to get the car checked out.