Temperature Overload???

[bmann]

The current temperature in Winnipeg Canada is -35 (with the windchill) Anyway, I was driving when all of a sudden, the temperature needle pinned to the right. the red hot light indicator did not come on nor did the check engine light. I pulled over, turned the vehicle off, checked the coolant level (it was fine) and restarted the vehicle and everything worked fine. The engine did not seem to be overheating. When I got home, I connected my Peak FCXII. It did come up with this... "coolant temp too low for closed loop operation". I believe this has something to do with the thermostat?? Can anyone verify this and if so, please let me know if this is a major item to repair??? Is it a possible do it yourself item? Is there a diagram of the repair? Thanks

[Tomaz]

Sounds like one of the many external coolant hoses may have frozen and the system was sensing that. There may be nothing to repair if the hose is allowed to thaw. Is there an antifreeze mixture that can protect you from -35? I think you may win the lowest temperature X5 drive prize.

[bmann]

Thanks for the reply. When I checked the coolant December, it was reading good to -50. I agree, the cold may have had something to do with this. Should I be concerned?? Cheers

[JCL]

I recall lots of similar cold-weather demons when I lived in northern Alberta (no X5 at the time).

I would start with rechecking the coolant, using a different anti-freeze tester. Rule that out first. That should eliminate any chances of frozen hoses.

Don't worry about the windchill, your X5 doesn't have any exposed skin so windchill has zero effect. I do see that it is forecast for -31C/-23F on Friday, so that is plenty cold enough.

You could have a thermostat problem. Could also be a sensor fault. I would watch it closely in any case, as overheating can be expensive. Given the nature of the immediate gauge fluctuation, I would suspect an electrical fault.