What Causes the Engine Warning Light to Illuminate Due to High Car Temperature?
2 Answers
Water temperature being too high is caused by insufficient antifreeze or a dirty radiator. Adding antifreeze and cleaning the dust off the radiator can resolve the issue. Below are specific details about car water temperature: 1. Reasons for high temperature: The main causes of engine overheating include insufficient coolant, malfunctioning cooling fan, faulty water pump, thermostat failure, and poor radiator heat dissipation. 2. Symptoms of high water temperature: Symptoms of high vehicle water temperature include a warning indicator on the dashboard for high water temperature or engine overheating. The engine cooling fan spins at high speed with loud noise. Engine knocking may occur. In severe cases, it may lead to engine bearing failure, rendering the engine unable to start.
I've been repairing cars for nearly 20 years, and this situation most commonly occurs due to issues with the cooling system causing the engine temperature to skyrocket, which then triggers the warning light. Specific causes may include insufficient or leaking coolant, a radiator clogged with dust affecting heat dissipation, a faulty water pump failing to circulate coolant, or an electronic fan malfunctioning and not spinning. Once the temperature sensor detects overheating, it sends a signal to the computer board to illuminate the warning light. Failing to address this promptly can lead to cylinder head gasket damage or even engine failure. I recommend keeping an eye on the temperature gauge while driving. If the light comes on, pull over immediately to check the coolant level or fan operation—don't push the car to avoid costly repairs. Regularly flushing the radiator and replacing coolant during maintenance can effectively prevent these issues.