the hot light came on very briefly in my 1996 cheverolt lumina, what should I do?

Question

I ran my 1996 cheverolt lumina into a curb while I was driving at about 20mph. Ever since then, the needle of the heat guage has always been about a 1/6inch away from the red zone of the heat guage sensor. My heat guage dashboard light is broken, but when I was driving home last night, I noticed the "hot light" on the dashboard appeared very briefly. Should I get an engine diagnosis done for $90.00 or wait until I see the needle of the heat guage in the red zone?

The fluid levels are checked every 3,000miles. I have never been told of a coolant leak, antifreeze leak, etc. How do I check the fan?

Answer 1

You should get the vehicles computer scanned and check for any problems as well as codes and then you will have a good idea on what the problem truly is.

Answer 2

No, when the engine is cold, pull off the radiator cap and see if you've got any fluid in there. If it's not filled to the neck, then get some antifreeze/coolant (pure 100%) and make a solution of 1/2 coolant and 1/2 (50%) distilled water.

Or you could buy the premixed coolant that's already got distilled water in it.

Either way, make sure you've got the coolant. If you do, then it's something else...like a hole in your radiator. Check for fluid leakage under your car.

Answer 3

FIRST check the coolant level ,you may have pinched a hose or a wire ing the harnedd that runs along the front of the car.Turn on the a/c to see if the fans come on. You may have a bad fan motor.

Answer 4

i own a repair shop and take a look at the anti freeze level in it ,this may just be low and need some added to it,that may be all that's wrong with it,and as for the 90 bucks for a diagnoses,id take it to auto zone and have them scan it,its free,and you can save the 90 bucks,for the part you might need for it,most of the time when that light comes on,its an intermittent problem,and isn't anything serious,but be sure and check the coolant level in it,good luck hope this helps.

Answer 5

get a coolant flush done on it. the coolant protects against overheating and freezing. depending on where you live, the coolant should be balanced at a good temp. if your in an area where it gets cold during winter, you want it at -34, which means it wont freeze till after that. if you live in a hot area where it doesnt get very cold, then you would want it to be a bit higher so that it can protect at higher temps. so exchange the coolant with the right kind, and see if that helps bring the temp down.

Answer 6

comparable issue everybody instructed me it became the gas clear out.. ended up being the Crank place Sensor. there's a Cam place sensor and a crank place sensor I replaced the two however the restoration became the latter. motor vehicle might start up frequently high-quality and each so often die whilst working or does not start up whilst warm. after it sat for a whilst might start up back, slowly have been given worse. replaced sensor 5 months in the past no issues considering that.

Answer 7

1st thing to do is check the coolant level sounds like you got a leak

Answer 8

I would get it checked out. Why wait until there is more damage? It could cost you more later to fix a bigger problem if its not taken care of.

Answer 9

most important: make sure it has enough water and coolant. then maybe check the fan and thermostat

Answer 10

check your coolant. it may have developed a leak, or your thermostat is shot.. or perhaps you broke the fan.