Running hot
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Fla.
Running hot
My 01 seems to have a temp issue. while riding around town it will stay in the 200 degree range, when I get on the highway temps crawl up and seemed to peak at 235 then cool down to 217ish then back up to 235 then back down. also my ambient temp would read 62 degrees correctly in the morning then 5 minutes later run up to 104 then engine temps would run up to 235, are the ambient temp sensor and coolant temp correlated with each other? I cleaned out the condenser, wasn't that dirty. I changed to an aluminum 2 row radiator, each row 1 inch wide. the water pump and thermostat, stayed with 195 thermostat, changed the cooling fans, changed the temp sending unit, 3.5 gallons of coolant and changed the ambient temp sensor. .... still have same issue and a lot less money in my pocket.
Any answers would be greatly appreciated.
Any answers would be greatly appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,531
Likes: 3,272
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
The first thing I will say is that temps between 200-230 are normal for this car. However, considering that you cleaned out everything, and upgraded your radiator, I would think that your temps would be WAY lower than that (especially on the highway). Since you have addressed the reasons why the temps might be high, i would think it was a sensor issue. However, you state that you replaced the sensor. The only other thing that I can think of is that you have something blocking the airflow to your radiator. Do you have a front splitter? Has anything happened to the center section of your front air dam? Sorry, I don't have any other suggestions.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Fla.
I also think it may be calibration issue after sitting all night at mid 50"s and 60 degrees when I opened the garage this morning when I turned the key on the coolant temp was 84 degrees.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,531
Likes: 3,272
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
I would try removing the splitter, and driving the car in a variety of conditions. If that fixes the issue, then you have your answer. If it doesn't help, it's easy enough to reinstall it.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,213
Likes: 1,173
From: Southlake, TX
You would not be the first guy to buy a new sensor and have it off calibration.
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,308
Likes: 3,924
From: Cape Coral, Florida
If you let the car sit overnight in your 60 degree garage your coolant temp should also be within a degree or two of 60 degrees…now you said you replaced the ECT sensor…was it an aftermarket or OEM ??…I’d purchase an OEM sensor and would be a good idea to check this 2 wire thermistor circuit because this may have been your issue.
Last edited by C5 Diag; Apr 12, 2023 at 04:58 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 132
From: Conejo Valley CA
I'm not much a of Techie but I can share an experience. Last summer, my car which has never run hot in even the hottest days in Southern California, started running hot. I had several knowledgeable people look at it and went has far as putting Dewitt's fans in. (I already have a Dewitt's radiator). I also had the fans configured to turn on at a lower temperature. Yet the problem still persisted! One thought was my front plate was blocking air flow yet I have had the front plate for a long time with no problems. I ultimately had the cooling system completely back flushed and I believe there was some small debris in the system due to a worn out coolant tank... this solved my problem! Something to look at if you have exhausted all other options.