What Causes the False High Temperature Reading on the Wuling Sunshine's Water Temperature Gauge?
2 Answers
The false high temperature reading on the Wuling Sunshine's water temperature gauge is related to the cooling fan not working, poor radiator heat dissipation, malfunctioning water pump, thermostat failing to open correctly, or coolant system leaks. The causes and solutions for the false high temperature reading on the Wuling Sunshine's water temperature gauge are as follows: Cooling fan not working: If the fan is not spinning, use a test light to check. If the test light turns on, replace the cooling fan. If the test light does not turn on, inspect and repair the wiring. Poor radiator heat dissipation: This may be due to excessive scale buildup in the radiator, preventing proper water circulation, or the electric fan not spinning, leading to poor heat dissipation. The solution is to clean or replace the radiator and inspect the fan. Malfunctioning water pump: A slipping water pump or detached impeller can cause poor water circulation, leading to high water temperature. The solution is to replace the water pump. Thermostat failing to open correctly: The thermostat remains closed at low temperatures and opens at 90 degrees to start the large water circulation. If the thermostat does not open at 90 degrees, it can cause high water temperature. The solution is to replace the thermostat. Coolant system leaks: Insufficient coolant level due to leaks can also cause high water temperature. Check if the coolant level is decreasing and address any leaks promptly.
When I used to haul goods with my Wuling, I also encountered situations where the temperature gauge showed falsely high readings, which usually didn’t mean the engine was actually overheating. The most common issue is a faulty coolant temperature sensor. That small component is installed on the cylinder head, and over time, it can accumulate scale, leading to inaccurate readings. Alternatively, the dashboard itself might be malfunctioning—stuck needles or loose wiring connections can cause false alarms. Last time, I even had a problem with a poor ground connection, where unstable current flow in the circuit made the gauge jump erratically. Driving this vehicle requires attention to the cooling system—dirty coolant or a clogged radiator can also trigger false alarms, but if the radiator doesn’t feel hot to the touch, it’s likely a false alarm. As a temporary fix, you can turn off the engine, wait for the temperature to drop, and then restart to observe. However, it’s best to inspect the sensor and wiring connections as soon as possible.
