Engine Overheating? But I'm sitting idle!?!
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I'm Batman..
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From: Lehigh Acres FL
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Engine Overheating? But I'm sitting idle!?!
Was sitting in a parking lot with the AC on and my car popped up and said this. Was not racing today, was not even driving hard. Also havent had the cooling system opened any time recently. What gives?!?
Race Director
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From: Texas Hill Country
Either your fan isn't coming on or you have low coolant. While idling, check your fans to see if they are blowing and look at your coolant reservoir to see if there is coolant/water in it.
Safety Car
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I would vote for the fan isn't operating properly. Every GM car I have owned in the last couple of decades has a coolant level sensor so I expect the C7 does also.
It is good that they provide these warnings but I keep an eye on the gauges in order to see something unusual is happening before the overheat occurs. I am getting a Z06 and although I agree the boost gauge is needed I hate seeing the dedicated engine temperature gauge replaced with it. I guess constant display of fuel level may be a federal requirement but otherwise that is something that could easily be relegated to a secondary gauge display since unlike coolant temperature, oil pressure, and other engine parameters it isn't going to change rapidly except right after fueling. It would be nice to see an engine temperature gauge replace the fuel gauge for the 2016 Z06 but it probably won't happen.
It is good that they provide these warnings but I keep an eye on the gauges in order to see something unusual is happening before the overheat occurs. I am getting a Z06 and although I agree the boost gauge is needed I hate seeing the dedicated engine temperature gauge replaced with it. I guess constant display of fuel level may be a federal requirement but otherwise that is something that could easily be relegated to a secondary gauge display since unlike coolant temperature, oil pressure, and other engine parameters it isn't going to change rapidly except right after fueling. It would be nice to see an engine temperature gauge replace the fuel gauge for the 2016 Z06 but it probably won't happen.
Thread Starter
I'm Batman..
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From: Lehigh Acres FL
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Fan is blowing strong and there is coolant in the reservoir. It's too hot for me to open it though. Ambient temp outside is about 90*. This sure is surprising..
Race Director
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From: Texas Hill Country
Let it cool down, open the cap, start it and let it run and monitor the level. Let it idle until it gets up to operating temp and make sure the thermostat opens and circulates coolant.
Thread Starter
I'm Batman..
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From: Lehigh Acres FL
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That was my plan exactly. I'm heading home now from work so I'll let it sit for an hour or two and then start testing. Thx Higgs
Thread Starter
I'm Batman..
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From: Lehigh Acres FL
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Okay, so I let her cool down all the way and took off the cap for the reservoir. Reservoir fluid was right at the level it should be, or maybe one eighth of an inch low, but not enough to cause an overheating issue. I let her idle for about 45 minutes or so, and it didn't overheat and all. Didn't even get a little high. I confirm that the thermostat opened right about when it was supposed to as well. This one sure has me baffled..
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Thread Starter
I'm Batman..
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From: Lehigh Acres FL
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that was my initial thought when this first happened. Reason I say that is a while back I ran over a dead animal which did some cosmetic damage to the front of the car. The car was in the shop for two weeks while they repainted the front bumper and replaced the skid plate and air dams. It made me start wondering if a sensor had gotten bumped when the front bumper was off, or if the radiator had to get removed and reinstalled when they replaced the skip plate. Any idea where the sensors are located at?
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From: Lehigh Acres FL
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Checked the electrical connection. Was tight. Didnt take it off to look for burnt connectors though. Issue has only ever happened that one time and not again since. I swapped out my Tstat today with a 170* as I have had it ready to go in for a while. I think the analog and digital temp sensors pull from different locations. I say that because after I swapped Tstats I went for a 30 minute drive and the temps were different on the two gauges. Also took about 30 minutes before the temp warning bars went away. See pic below:
Ant
Ant
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From: Lehigh Acres FL
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From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
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From: Winston Salem NC
I just had this exact same issue while I was waiting around for a parking space. I have never seen this error message come up, I even had the turn off the engine message. Engine temp was up to 260 and the oil temp was really high.
Have you been able to figure this out?
Have you been able to figure this out?
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I'm Batman..
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From: Lehigh Acres FL
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I have not found a definitive reason as to why it happened unfortunately..
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From: Winston Salem NC
Thread Starter
I'm Batman..
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Lehigh Acres FL
Tech Contributor
Thread Starter
I'm Batman..
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,142
Likes: 921
From: Lehigh Acres FL
Tech Contributor
I went ahead and pulled the connector off for the fan and checked the contact points on the fan side and the connector on the harness side and they look fine. Nothing looks melted. And the connector was seated good and tight. Also, I don't believe anything cooling system/fan related was adjusted in my tune. Sure am curious about this. Wonder if my fan is going bad..