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2013 Cruze A/C off due to high engine temp

34357 Views 30 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  Blasirl
I am working on a 2013 1.4L Cruze and it is doing the whole "A/C off due to high engine temp". After that message the temp gauge continues to rise and says "engine overheated idle engine". I started with the basics on this but here is what I have done so far.

~Coolant level is fine...pressurized the cooling system and there is NO leaks
~Replaced BOTH temp sensors (one on the radiator, and one on the coolant valve)
~Replaced thermostat, which incidentally had exploded and was broken
~Also replaced the coolant valve since it did have the typical crack on the neck
~Ran the car with a temp gauge on it and the engine is NOT actually overheating...it just thinks it is

The car will drive fine until it gets to running temp then it starts with these errors. What am I missing?

Thanks in advance for any advice!
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Is this perhaps a salvage title or flood car?
No it is not. Second owner, clean title.
The one on your radiator is probably the fan switch. The other one might be your gauge. I'm not sure but there might be a 3rd sensor triggering the messages. Unless the one you replace has 3 wires. Others would know for sure. I'm guessing in the head if there's a 3rd one.

There's another thread on here with your exact same problem. Might look for it to see what his problem was.
There doesn't appear to be a third sensor. Again I have replaced to my knowledge everything that controls or monitors the temp. When the temp shows on the gauge to be rising...it goes up very fast and then comes down very fast (not the way temps work). but again the car isn't actually overheating.
There doesn't appear to be a third sensor. Again I have replaced to my knowledge everything that controls or monitors the temp. When the temp shows on the gauge to be rising...it goes up very fast and then comes down very fast (not the way temps work). but again the car isn't actually overheating.
did you replace the sensors with Dorman or GM OEM? i have seen the aftermarket sensors screw up right out of the box.
Have you reviewed these threads? Why not take it in to the Dealer

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I replaced everything with OEM parts. I have read those threads. A common problem that seems to keep coming up is the water pump. I have not changed that yet. I just don't understand how the temp gauge is fluctuating so quickly. If the water pump was failing/failed would that cause the gauge to react this way?
Welcome Aboard!:welcome:

[h=1]New Thermostat Failing or Sensor or Other?[/h]
I had that happen it was the water pump GM actually had a special warranty / recall for the water pump


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I’m having the same problem with the same fixes previously performed. Going to be replacing the radiator this weekend and the radiator cap when it gets delivered.
Changed the radiator and have not been able to get the engine to over heat again in a week. It was clogged due to a combination of stop leak and two different kinds of coolant. Hope this helps.
Check your top hose from your res to the water out....I have seen them leaking from right where the quick connect is and Dormat has rebuild the water outlet due to checks and leaking issue cause by poor design on chevys end..Also if the radiator caps are suppose to have orings and the venting tube on top has cause issues as well and Dormat has made them as well..They also report leaks at or failure of thd temp sensors on by the rad and one up by the outlet...the thing is with all these leaks the antifreeze dont end up on the ground...lol..I have yet to see it actually be a water pump....Message me if you have any questions...

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I am working on a 2013 1.4L Cruze and it is doing the whole "A/C off due to high engine temp". After that message the temp gauge continues to rise and says "engine overheated idle engine". I started with the basics on this but here is what I have done so far.

~Coolant level is fine...pressurized the cooling system and there is NO leaks
~Replaced BOTH temp sensors (one on the radiator, and one on the coolant valve)
~Replaced thermostat, which incidentally had exploded and was broken
~Also replaced the coolant valve since it did have the typical crack on the neck
~Ran the car with a temp gauge on it and the engine is NOT actually overheating...it just thinks it is

The car will drive fine until it gets to running temp then it starts with these errors. What am I missing?

Thanks in advance for any advice!
I know this was a year ago but I'm having the same situation and the mechanic has done everything did you ever get this figured out I'm trying to avoid spending lots of money because this seems to be a common problem
I know this was a year ago but I'm having the same situation and the mechanic has done everything did you ever get this figured out I'm trying to avoid spending lots of money because this seems to be a common problem
Hi Kristy. So what is everything your mechanic has tried or answers you were given? How many miles are on your Cruze?
Kind of radical I almost begin to wonder did some one put software bugs for the holidays for this over heating issue. :(
Hi Kristy. So what is everything your mechanic has tried or answers you were given? How many miles are on your Cruze?
Kind of radical I almost begin to wonder did some one put software bugs for the holidays for this over heating issue. :(
You never know these days oh, it is very frustrating. My mechanic has changed the thermostat the temperature sensors and the water pump. I'm already looking at about $500 worth of work and still a broken car, now he's saying it's got to be a blown head gasket. I tend to disagree looking at all of the issues with this car online I don't think it is something that serious. I just bought the car 8 months ago.and of course no on it so I really can't afford for nothing serious to be wrong. Any help would be so appreciated because I am at wit's end. The car has about 95,000 miles on it 2013
You never know these days oh, it is very frustrating. My mechanic has changed the thermostat the temperature sensors and the water pump. I'm already looking at about $500 worth of work and still a broken car, now he's saying it's got to be a blown head gasket. I tend to disagree looking at all of the issues with this car online I don't think it is something that serious. I just bought the car 8 months ago.and of course no on it so I really can't afford for nothing serious to be wrong. Any help would be so appreciated because I am at wit's end. The car has about 95,000 miles on it 2013
What is the car doing? Are you loosing coolant with no signs of it? Before it ended up in the shop did you have a chance to check the oil? Sadly they can blow head gaskets. Which can also be determined by having a compression test done.
He did the compression test but said it looks normal the only reason why he's saying head gaskets is because that's the only thing left the car was running perfectly fine I changed the oil and replace the antifreeze hose that's hooked up to the reservoir tank and driving home it started to overheat... I have been without a car a week. I see this as a constant issue all over online and I don't know maybe I'm crazy but it looks like a easy fix I'm no mechanic
No. This mechanic is not being honest. If the head gasket is even slightly going your not going to get normal compression readings.
The reservoir tank is a very common problem and is replaced very easily. Just maybe this is the issue. But also have you ever had the cooling system flushed? Radiator hoses replaced? And yes these cars have chronic problems. Even after the parts have been replaced. Could even be the cap on the overflow tank. But I wouldn't agree to head gasket because that's the last thing he can think of.
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