The Engine signal came on as I was driving. The temp gage keeps rising as I drive, and drops as I stop. I pooped the hood - the radiator cap and hose are hot. Since the thermostat is new - less than 3 months old - is it a case that the light and gage would require only me to add coolant?

 

How's the coolant level? Radiator cap should be hot when you're driving. When was the last time you replaced it though? Any leaks? Either that or the fans are broken or the relays that control said fans.

 

What kind of thermostat did he put in? There's a proper orientation for it. Also did he burp the system, there may be air in it.

 

Monday - I drove from my home in Van Nuys to LAX. The gage was doing the up/down moves as I drove, so I turned around and went to the mechanic who replaced the thermostat. I parked the car waiting for the fan to start - it didn't. I went in to talk with him for 3 minutes, we went to the lot back to the car. The fan had kicked on by then. We opened the hood - the hoses and cap were just warm to the touch after 50+ miles. Today, before going 2 miles the engine light came on, and after 10 miles of driving I got back, popped the hood, far hotter cap & hose. And this was just about 15 minutes ago. I suppose I could go down and check now to see if the fan came on to cool it down. No leaks - my parking space is clear. And I usually get the fluids topped as I change the oil - every 5k miles. Maybe someone forgot to add it? Not sure.

By the way I love your avatar. Although I'd love to know who's under Betty White's face !!

 

It'd also help if you read the code using an OBDII reader to see what the culprit may be

 

I don't know. I could drive it back to him - but I just wanted to make sure the car was OK to drive it to him. The extreme heat to the touch had me worried.

 

Thanks for the feedback . I appreciate it!!

 

no problemo

 

So who's under Betty White's face?

 

Wouldn't YOU like to know!!

 

Hope he's grand !

 

Ck driver side radiator fan operation at correct time, and does not run more than 1 minute after shutdown
Sounds like you have a rad fan sensor A problem (common) or water pump, or thermostat is NOT OE and upside down/rotated
Is the rad free flowing and clean? Why was thermostat replaced? type of failure?

IS the system burped per the book method with engine runs held at 2000 rpm till fan cycles then idle and cycles,
then 2000, then idle and final top off.

 

It was a faulty relay. The sensor was telling the car it was too hot when it wasn't. Pep Boys had replaced the thermostat once, and as good as their word they took care of this with no charge.