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[V8S]

Hi all,

Drove to the shopping mall yesterday. Weather was mild, no rain, not hot.

Motorway for 5 miles, then about 7 minutes of slow traffic to get to the car park then about 5 minutes finding a space. Just as I stopped to reverse into the space, I noticed for the first time the red temperature light was on and the gauge needle was in the two red bars. I hastily reversed in and turned off the engine.

There was no sign of coolant loss, no wetness around the radiator or engine, no rough running and no warnings on the MID.

Coolant level is fine, oil level is fine.

I went shopping for about 1/2 hour, turned on the ignition and the temp was reading 83 degrees. Turning on the engine and letting it idle gave 85 degrees. A trip to Halfords to get some coolant (just in case) saw me leaving the engine running for 10 minutes to see if the fans would kick in (to check if a fuse or the fans were faulty), but the temperature never rose about 85. On returning to my g/f's place, I again left it running but this time the temp never went above 90 degrees. The fans still didn't kick in.

Ever since the car has been fine.

I am at a loss to explain why the temperature went so extreme so quickly in the conditions it did. I'm thinking the thermostat must have jammed closed, or the fans weren't started.

Anyone had a similar experience?

What temp do the fans come on?

It's a 2.2 DTi Elite saloon.

[TheBoy]

There will be a fan switch(es) in the rad, good place to start diagnosis. Also, check the fuses (in relay box).

[V8S]

Is it just these fuses which I should check:

4, 15, 24, 29 and 34

?

I'm assuming you don't mean the fuses in the engine compartment...?

[TheBoy]

Is it just these fuses which I should check:

4, 15, 24, 29 and 34

?

I'm assuming you don't mean the fuses in the engine compartment...?

Fuses in relay box (next to battery)

[V8S]

Ah, I can't actually find a list of what each does in that box.

I can't get the car to overheat again so I would assume that it isn't a fuse / relay at fault- i.e. fuse gone, permanent problem, recurring symptoms?

[TheBoy]

Ah, I can't actually find a list of what each does in that box.

I can't get the car to overheat again so I would assume that it isn't a fuse / relay at fault- i.e. fuse gone, permanent problem, recurring symptoms?

Take for a run, then leave idling. Do fans come on?

[V8S]

No, but also the engine temp doesn't rise enough for the fans to be needed. I've left the engine running for ten minutes after going for a run and the temp doesn't go over 90, which is, I assume, around about the point the fans might kick in.

Any idea what temp the fans kick in at on a 2.2 DTi?

I've made sure the fans aren't running by opening the bonnet and watching.

[TheBoy]

No, but also the engine temp doesn't rise enough for the fans to be needed. I've left the engine running for ten minutes after going for a run and the temp doesn't go over 90, which is, I assume, around about the point the fans might kick in.

Any idea what temp the fans kick in at on a 2.2 DTi?

I've made sure the fans aren't running by opening the bonnet and watching.

Wouldn't normally recommend this, but give it a good motorway thrash, then immediately idle - the temp should go up!

[miggy]

No, but also the engine temp doesn't rise enough for the fans to be needed. I've left the engine running for ten minutes after going for a run and the temp doesn't go over 90, which is, I assume, around about the point the fans might kick in.

Any idea what temp the fans kick in at on a 2.2 DTi?
I've made sure the fans aren't running by opening the bonnet and watching.

On my 2002 model they used to kick in between 85 / 90 degrees.