A Cars forum. AutoBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AutoBanter forum » Auto makers » BMW
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Faulty thermostat?



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old October 6th 04, 11:23 PM
Jeff
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Faulty thermostat?

Hello again,

I have a 2000 528i. Once in a while I will glance down and see the
temperature guage in the red. My first reaction was the car was
overheating, but then suddenly the needle went back down in the normal
area. Most of the time when this happens I had just started the car. It
happened yesterday while I was stuck in traffic. I know the engine was not
overheating becuase the needle will go down very fast.

Is this a thermostat going bad?

Please advise,
Jeff
Ads
  #2  
Old October 7th 04, 01:03 AM
Dave Plowman (News)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In article >,
Jeff > wrote:
> I have a 2000 528i. Once in a while I will glance down and see the
> temperature guage in the red. My first reaction was the car was
> overheating, but then suddenly the needle went back down in the normal
> area. Most of the time when this happens I had just started the car. It
> happened yesterday while I was stuck in traffic. I know the engine was
> not overheating becuase the needle will go down very fast.


This is because the gauge doesn't read temperature directly. It is
controlled by the engine ECU, and reads exactly in the middle over a wide
range of (safe) temperature. As soon as that limit is exceeded it will
climb quickly, and fall quickly too when the temperature drops.

--
*When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say? *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
  #3  
Old October 7th 04, 01:48 AM
Chip-A-Way
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I would also check the auxiliary fan for proper working order.

.......Chip

"Dave Plowman (News)" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Jeff > wrote:
> > I have a 2000 528i. Once in a while I will glance down and see the
> > temperature guage in the red. My first reaction was the car was
> > overheating, but then suddenly the needle went back down in the normal
> > area. Most of the time when this happens I had just started the car. It
> > happened yesterday while I was stuck in traffic. I know the engine was
> > not overheating becuase the needle will go down very fast.

>
> This is because the gauge doesn't read temperature directly. It is
> controlled by the engine ECU, and reads exactly in the middle over a wide
> range of (safe) temperature. As soon as that limit is exceeded it will
> climb quickly, and fall quickly too when the temperature drops.
>
> --
> *When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say? *
>
> Dave Plowman London SW
> To e-mail, change noise into sound.



  #4  
Old June 21st 17, 09:14 PM posted to alt.autos.bmw
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Faulty thermostat?

On Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at 5:23:50 PM UTC-5, Jeff wrote:
> Hello again,
>
> I have a 2000 528i. Once in a while I will glance down and see the
> temperature guage in the red. My first reaction was the car was
> overheating, but then suddenly the needle went back down in the normal
> area. Most of the time when this happens I had just started the car. It
> happened yesterday while I was stuck in traffic. I know the engine was not
> overheating becuase the needle will go down very fast.
>
> Is this a thermostat going bad?
>
> Please advise,
> Jeff


Mine overheated the first time used the AC. Wasn't even that hot out. Turning the hater on full didn't help much.
  #5  
Old June 22nd 17, 02:51 AM posted to alt.autos.bmw
Scott Dorsey
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3,914
Default Faulty thermostat?

In article >,
> wrote:
>On Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at 5:23:50 PM UTC-5, Jeff wrote:
>> Hello again,
>>
>> I have a 2000 528i. Once in a while I will glance down and see the
>> temperature guage in the red. My first reaction was the car was
>> overheating, but then suddenly the needle went back down in the normal
>> area. Most of the time when this happens I had just started the car. It
>> happened yesterday while I was stuck in traffic. I know the engine was not
>> overheating becuase the needle will go down very fast.
>>
>> Is this a thermostat going bad?


Well, it's been 13 years since this guy posted and I don't know what he
found was wrong. But given those symptoms, I'd suspect a bad instrument
panel ground before I'd suspect an overheating issue. Still, those cars
are very prone to cooling system problems.

>Mine overheated the first time used the AC. Wasn't even that hot out. Turning the hater on full didn't help much.


Your 2000 528i overheated the first time you used the AC? Was this 17 years
ago, or have you been driving it that long without the AC? How many times
have you replaced the water pump in that period anyway?
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
1995 Audi 90 2.8l engine temperature low Gene Buckwalter Audi 12 December 24th 04 12:20 AM
Where is the thermostat located on Audi 90? ~ ElektraMan ~ Audi 1 October 20th 04 11:23 PM
e34 530 thermostat mojo BMW 5 October 3rd 04 09:20 PM
87 735i faulty heater valve John Seager BMW 4 September 21st 04 05:37 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AutoBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.