CaseyH

I had to park my car outside today in a parking lot with no shade...I was there for about 7 hours and it got up to 100 degrees out today. I got in my car and it started up fine and turned my AC on and had it on full blast. I was actually a little surprised it worked since usually it takes about 3 minutes or so before air will blow out of my vents after being parked outside when it's hot for extended periods of time. I had about a 20 minute drive home and about 10 minutes into the drive my central warning light came on, but I didn't see any associated specific warning lit up. As far as I know none of my warning lights are burned out. I made it home fine.

I went to leave about a half hour later and my car started up, it was not idling steady, my oil pressure gauge was at 2 when it had just been at 5, and my voltmeter was through the roof. A few seconds after it started it died. I waited a couple minutes and tried it again...same thing. I popped the hood and the engine was extremely hot.

I let it cool off with the hood open for about 7 more hours and I checked the coolant level and it appeared to be fine. I just got back from taking it for a spin and it drove fine, idled normally, and the oil pressure was back to normal. However, the voltmeter was still through the roof and my central warning light was still on.

Any ideas where to start looking to get to the bottom of this? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Casey

zoltan944

Serious heat and driving with the AC on can really warm the oil up and with our cars idling at just above 600rpm just over 2 bar pressure can be normal at idle during those times (also depending on oil).
not sure about your high volt gauge tho

WallyP

Anything over 14.8 volts is a problem, and will damage the battery, blow light bulbs, etc.

About the only thing that can cause high voltage is the voltage regulator in the alternator - but measure the voltage at the battery and/or jump start terminal to make sure that it isn't just a faulty voltage gauge.

Overheating can have several causes. Make sure that the aux cooling fan is coming on, that the thermal clutch on the belt-driven fan isn't empty, that there isn't crud between the radiator and A/C condenser, that the little belly pan is in place, etc., etc.

Get in a dark place and turn the ignition switch on. Check all of the warning lights, including those at the end of the scale on the gauges. Then use a flashlight to look at the dash, as this will show any warning lights that aren't working.

CaseyH

I tried sitting in the dark looking at it with a flashlight, but I couldn't see any warning lights not turning on. So I took a picture; it looks like I'm probably missing one in between the "Wash Fluid" and "Coolant" light.

Ever since that day the voltmeter has acted normally for the most part, with a few exceptions. I'm still having the problem with the central warning light coming on. I've been keeping my eye on the coolant temp gauge and I've been noticing that the needle is usually in the middle, which is supposed to be normal, but I don't think I've noticed it before after only a couple minutes of driving.

The auxiliary cooling fan did come on that day. Ever since I haven't had any problems with it dying on me.

So, is one of my warning lights burned out?

Thanks

R.Pires

Hi,

I think you have all the lights.
You're not missing one beteween "Wash Fluid" and "Coolant", that is the "Parking Lights" in green, and appear when you turn the lights **** on.

Regards

CaseyH

Well I got home today and had to leave again after about a half hour. My car would not start up again. I haven't had any problems since the last occurrence at the end of July. I didn't notice anything strange with the gauges on the way home and prior to that my car was only parked out in the sun for about an hour. I turn the key and it sounds like it starts up and then it just immediately dies...a little different from the last time. The auxiliary cooling fan does come on.

This is frustrating.

Thanks

Marine Blue

Casey get to the back of the car and check the battery. If you're overcharging the battery you will probably have a strong rotten egg smell when you open the hatch. Be really careful if its wet.

Mrmerlin

check the belt for the fan

CaseyH

I haven't had a chance to check anything yet...but right after I made the post I tried to start it again and it started up normally. All I had done after the failed start was pop the hood and crack the garage a bit to help it cool off because I could really feel the heat coming off of the engine. So, about 20 minutes after the failed start it started up fine.

Thanks

tailpipe

might be poor gas turning to vapour in the fuel lines