Temp Gauge Goes to HOT...Engine NOT HOT..HELP!

[Freddy]

Ok...so this has happened twice in three days. I start my x5 (after sitting over night) and begin to drive, 30-40 seconds into the drive the temp gauge goes directly to HOT. I turn the truck off, then back on, and the gauge goes back to normal and acts normal for the remainder of the day. Is there a sensor going bad? and if so what is the sensor called and its location that controls the Temp Gauge's reading?

(antifreeze/coolant levels are normal, no leaks)

thanks for any help!
Freddy
2002 BMW x5 3.0 V6

[butundo]

My has done that a few times as well. I just turned off the truck and started again with no issues. I really don't know why, and I haven't attempted any fix.

[X5girl]

I would suspect a fault in the temp gauge sender. They are cheap enough and not worth the risk of not replacing it anyway because if you do overheat and it does not warn you it will cost big money.

It could also be the thermostat sticking..... not unusual on those engines.

X5Girl, xxx

[Freddy]

thank ya, ill check into those! any other tips ideas friends?

[Freddy]

now my heater doesnt seem to be putting out such hot air, looking like a faulty thermostat?

[butundo]

The only time that I have had the temp gauge in the red is when I let the truck warm up in the winter. I have never had the issue of no heat. On my x I have a dial in the center between the vents that must be rotated from 3 blue dots (cold) to 3 red dots (hot). Maybe check that dial?

[NOVAX5]

Freddy and all of you having this issue should read this.
It's the thermostate stuck open/close issue. 'no heat' is caused by coolant not getting circulated in the engine. When you turn off the engine and turn it back on it helps release the pressure built up and open/close the thermostat again making it work. Get your thermostat replaced and flush the coolant you will be good, and you are looking at $50 thermostat + $125 labor + $75 coolant flush = $250. Switch on and off is the temporary fix.

[Freddy]

thank ya much! yes i just had it in, the thermostat was stuck open. you were correct! unfortunately your price was a little off, or i got screwed? the thermostat is $190.00 because it is a full elbowed pipe assembly with the thermostat built in. all in all $350.00 repair, not horrible, but didn't exactly start my morning off great.

thanks for your help everyone!

[KevinM]

Oddly enough, I'm having the exact same problem on my 2004 3.0 X5. Temp guage shoots up to max indication within a few minutes of starting. Shut off... restart... temp gauge sits about 1/8" off lowest indication and stays there. Heat had been ok when this first happened a week ago. Now tonight... barely any heat... if any at all.

Normally, the engine temp gauge sits about at the midway point.

Will be bringing it to the dealer on Monday.

Thanks for the info and glad you got it fixed Freddy.

[Freddy]

Hey Kev, that is 100% to a TEE the course of how my problem went.
keep me posted! good luck! and let me know your overall cost