Overheating while idle
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2016
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Overheating while idle
Today, my TL started over heating when I was idle at a stop light. So I turn on the heat full blast and no hot/warm heat came from the vents( cool air came out).
When my light turned green and I able to give the car gas, the car temperature when back down to normal and warm heat started coming through the vents.
What can this be from?
When my light turned green and I able to give the car gas, the car temperature when back down to normal and warm heat started coming through the vents.
What can this be from?
Did you have anything with the coolant system worked on recently? Usually, this is typical on vehicles that got a coolant service and the system wasn't bled right. Air in the system will cause a vehicle to overheat and have loss of heat, mostly at idle.
You could also have a coolant leak somewhere. The coolant, might be just about low enough to cause the symptoms you describe.
(You can inspect the vehicle yourself to see if you can identify a leak. Keep in mind, overheating may cause a vehicle to lose coolant)
You could also have a failing thermostat. A thermostat opens when a certain temp is reached. A failing thermostat may stick and not open or barely open. This causes the coolant in the system to not circulate. When you accelerate the pressure built by the water pump and the coolant itself might be enough to allow flow in the system.
(Google thermostat diagnosis, you can do this yourself)
A failing water pump can cause the same symptoms. Sometimes the blades on the water pump deteriorate and isn't efficient to circulate the coolant properly, also causing the same symptoms you have.
I would have the vehicle looked at. Driving around with an overheating car is not the best idea. Keep us posted!
You could also have a coolant leak somewhere. The coolant, might be just about low enough to cause the symptoms you describe.
(You can inspect the vehicle yourself to see if you can identify a leak. Keep in mind, overheating may cause a vehicle to lose coolant)
You could also have a failing thermostat. A thermostat opens when a certain temp is reached. A failing thermostat may stick and not open or barely open. This causes the coolant in the system to not circulate. When you accelerate the pressure built by the water pump and the coolant itself might be enough to allow flow in the system.
(Google thermostat diagnosis, you can do this yourself)
A failing water pump can cause the same symptoms. Sometimes the blades on the water pump deteriorate and isn't efficient to circulate the coolant properly, also causing the same symptoms you have.
I would have the vehicle looked at. Driving around with an overheating car is not the best idea. Keep us posted!
Last edited by 04WDPSeDaN; Dec 21, 2016 at 06:41 AM.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,863
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if you have no heat when the car is not moving means there is no coolant is flowing through the heater core and that typically means low low did I say low coolant level
if your coolant is low, when the car is cold, turn it on and add coolant until the radiator is full. you can squeeze the upper hose a few times to get the air out. once the rad is full, put the cap on and add coolant to the overflow tank to a bit above the full mark and go for a drive. let car cool off and add enough coolant to bring it to the full mark cold and repeat if needed
if your coolant is at the proper level test your fans and relays. Turning on the AC will immediately cause both fans to come on. If they do not, turn car off and put power directly to the fan and see if they turn on. also do they turn freely by hand?
if your coolant is low, when the car is cold, turn it on and add coolant until the radiator is full. you can squeeze the upper hose a few times to get the air out. once the rad is full, put the cap on and add coolant to the overflow tank to a bit above the full mark and go for a drive. let car cool off and add enough coolant to bring it to the full mark cold and repeat if needed
if your coolant is at the proper level test your fans and relays. Turning on the AC will immediately cause both fans to come on. If they do not, turn car off and put power directly to the fan and see if they turn on. also do they turn freely by hand?
Last edited by YeuEmMaiMai; Dec 25, 2016 at 12:43 AM.