Overheating. No It Isn't. Yes It Is. No It Isn't. Etc Etc.

[Wheelbarrow Driver]

I'm a newbie here.

I have a Y-reg 2.3 petrol Galaxy which is used basically as a wheelbarrow but occasionally for people as well.

The other day, the high temp light started flashing with all the usual sound effects. I switched the engine off, checked under the bonnet and all was well. Plenty of water in the header tank, no excessive pressure when I loosened the cap slightly. The guage was registering 90 degrees, which it always does once warmed up.

This happened a few times during a 50 mile drive, but not since. I'm wondering if it's the sensor at fault, and if so, is it an easy fix.

I'm no wizz-kid mechanic but I do have a bag of spanners and know how to use them.

 

Any advice is more than welcome.

[sambulance]

first few checks in an overheat situation for me are to leave the car to idle and as it gets slowly up to temprature check the radiator hoses top and bottom. if they are both hot then your thermostat is ok. next is to check that the fan works. if the car is to hot then the fan should kick in at some point but this is not always noticable when driving so at idle you can have a look. the sensor could be at fault but if the temp reading increases steadily when driving its still working but a change couldn't hurt there not expensive. also when was the coolant last changed. if left to long you can get a blockage. try all the free checks first. good luck

[Wheelbarrow Driver]

Thanks for the reply sambulance.

The coolant was changed recently (weeks, not months or years) when it was serviced.

Both hoses were hot when I stopped to check, but the coolant wasn't boiling.

I don't know about the fan, but the temp gauge stayed constant at 90deg.

I think it's a job for my local garage, who are very good and not too expensive. Mainly because I can't be @rsed to crawl around under it at my age!

[Wheelbarrow Driver]

Job done for a total of £55. It was a sensor.