engine coolant temp warning

**thekingsphance** · 08-11-2009, 02:48 AM

Recently the check engine coolant temp light has came on on my '01 silverado. The first time it happened I started my truck and the light came on immediately and the gage was maxed out. BUT after idling for about a minute, the temp came back down to normal operating temp. The second time the light came on happened about a week after the first time. This time I was on the highway doing 70 or so. The light came on and the gage was maxed but again it started to come back down slowly to normal. I pulled over and checked my radiator resevoir level and it was good. Can anyone help me out here? what should I do?

**retired2001** · 08-11-2009, 03:37 AM

I had a similar incident with my '04. I had just had it "serviced" so I knew all the fluids were good. I messed with it for over a week and then I did what I should have done in the first place. I checked the water/anti-freeze level and it was low. I added over a gallon and the gauge has not acted up since! You probably thought to do that already, but I thought I'd mention it just in case. Good luck!

**grimreapersshadow** · 08-12-2009, 09:02 PM

you might also check your fan clutch it if turns freely when you spin the fan by hand its bad and would cause that problem

**Jimmiee** · 08-12-2009, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by thekingsphance

Recently the check engine coolant temp light has came on on my '01 silverado. The first time it happened I started my truck and the light came on immediately and the gage was maxed out. BUT after idling for about a minute, the temp came back down to normal operating temp. The second time the light came on happened about a week after the first time. This time I was on the highway doing 70 or so. The light came on and the gage was maxed but again it started to come back down slowly to normal. I pulled over and checked my radiator resevoir level and it was good. Can anyone help me out here? what should I do?

I see a potential problem in your signature

The headers. Your coolant temp sensor sits in between the hearer pipes and the wire may have shorted out. Check the wire and the connection to the sensor.