Can the Buick Excelle code4 continue to be driven?

[MacAdrian]

It cannot continue to be driven. The Buick Excelle code4 indicates that the engine temperature is too high. If this occurs, you must immediately find a safe place to pull over. If you are on a highway or ring road, remember to place a warning sign behind your vehicle to alert oncoming traffic and avoid secondary accidents. More details are as follows: 1. Incorrect practice: Many car owners panic and immediately stop and turn off the engine when encountering high engine temperature. This is actually wrong because the water cooling system requires the engine to operate. Once the engine is turned off, the coolant can no longer circulate, and the engine components remain in a high-temperature environment, failing to cool down and potentially damaging engine parts. 2. Correct practice: The engine should be left idling for a few minutes, with the air conditioning set to warm air, and then the hood should be opened to dissipate heat as quickly as possible. After the temperature drops, check if the coolant level is sufficient. If the coolant is below the min line, the high engine temperature is caused by low coolant. If you have coolant on hand, you can add it promptly. If not, mineral water can be used as a temporary substitute. However, note that water is only for emergency use. Long-term use of water as a coolant can cause rust in the engine and radiator, leading to poor heat dissipation and high engine temperature.

[Tricia]

I've been driving a Buick Excelle for five years and have encountered the check engine light a few times. Code 4 in the repair manual usually points to a crankshaft position sensor failure, which may cause symptoms like unstable idling or weak acceleration. It's okay to drive short distances to the repair shop, but definitely avoid highways or aggressive driving. Two winters ago, my Excelle had this light come on, and I continued driving for about twenty kilometers - it suddenly stalled midway and nearly caused an accident. I recommend checking the trouble code immediately; there's an 80% chance you'll need to replace the sensor, which costs around 500 yuan at a repair shop. Regularly inspect the engine compartment wiring harness for aging or damage to prevent this issue.

[ManuelDella]

Last month, I just helped a friend deal with the Code 4 issue on his Excelle. This code is mostly caused by a faulty crankshaft position sensor. Although the car can start and drive, the tachometer may jump erratically or stop working entirely. You need to listen carefully to the engine sound. If there's noticeable hesitation or intermittent acceleration, pull over immediately and turn off the engine to wait for a tow truck. The mechanic said that ignoring this fault for a long time can lead to serious issues like ignition timing disorder, which may damage the valves or even cause cylinder scoring. It's recommended to connect an OBD scanner to read the specific fault code before driving. Replacing the sensor yourself isn't difficult, and an OEM part costs just over 300 yuan.

[OAiden]

Based on experience repairing hundreds of Excelle models, Code 4 faults are primarily concentrated in sensor circuits. The car remains drivable but with noticeably reduced power – pressing the accelerator feels like stepping on cotton. The most dangerous scenario is sudden stalling, especially when crossing intersections. Last time, a customer stubbornly drove for three days until complete sensor failure caused engine lockup. For such faults now, we always advise owners to immediately inspect engine wiring harness connectors for corrosion or looseness. Those with DIY skills can resolve most issues by cleaning the connectors themselves, otherwise it's best to visit the 4S shop for proper diagnosis.