what is it when my buick starts to putt, and the check engine light comes on, after its halfway on temp gauge?

Question

iT DOES IT ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN IT GOES PASS HALF WAY ON THE TEMP. GUAGE, BUT IT RUNS SMOOTHLY B4 THAT POINT. TURN THE CAR OFF AND ITS FIND UNTIL IT REACHES THAT POINT AGAIN.

Answer 1

Check your radiator, does it sound like it is boilng? The sensor could be bad, --and sending false signal to the computer-- the computer, - in turn "Messes up" the ignition timing a little, so you will stop and see if it is overheating (or has enough water). Note that a sending unit can't read proper temperature, -if the water is not as high as the sending unit! Therefore it may be "burning up" the engine, but the temperature gauge says it is "running cool"!

If the engine (radiator)-does sound like it is boiling, then the computer is right, --- and the gauge is wrong! And the sending unit is right also!

This function (when the engine is overheated), - "retards" the ignition timing, and the car runs really "crappy", however it is still driveable enough to get off the road, rather than just "shutting down right there where it happens!"

You might check your pressure cap also,as the water will "boil" (overheat) more quickly if there is no pressure in the system". The pressure "pushes the water molecules closer together, and thus makes it harder for water "vapor to occour". Comparison to water in our atmosphere at different altitudes (pressure) On Top Mt Evans (near Denver Colo.) water will boil at about 85 degrees, - ( the molecules are very expanded at very low pressure)--you can actually dip your fingers into it and not get burned! Potatos take a several hours to cook "boiling"! You can put them in a pressure cooker, and cook them in about 1/2 hour, - this in effect, - (makes the pressure more than at sea level), as the molecules are pushed very closely together!

Answer 2

I've read the other answers, and they are fine answers at that.

However, they are incorrect.

When you start your engine, the computer is in "open" or preset mode until ti warms up to operating temperature.

While in this mode, the only thing controlling the engine operation is the TPS.(throttle position sensor)

As soon as the engine reaches operating temperature 185 deg. it goes into what's called "closed loop".

In otherwords, all the sensors on the engine send signals to the computer to maintain optimal operation.

My guess is you have a bad O2 sensor and it's giving the computer a faulty reading causing it to run too lean.

Answer 3

Check your coolant levels