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My wives car got this symbol today , never ever seen this before. I live in Manitoba and in the winter at -40 I’ve always lost a little coolant in all my Mercedes, have 3 all W204’s , just below the sensor, seems the original 0 rings shrink from age and the cold, so I recently installed a new coolant cap, about a week ago.
today she got this symbol show up, but only when she went around a corner. She’ watches the gauges and said there was never a temperature change which I verified when she got home. Temperature today was +15C. Cooking fans were on. Checked coolant level, alls fine. Seems strange. Comments welcome. Thanks
Time to scan the car for some codes. Best to use a Mercedes specific scanner.
Here's what Grok had to say about the light.Hi! The image you provided shows a warning light on a car dashboard: a thermometer with wavy lines beneath it, typically in orange or red. This symbol indicates an issue with your car’s coolant temperature.
What It Means:
Coolant Temperature Warning: This light usually means your engine is overheating or the coolant level is too low. The thermometer symbol represents temperature, and the wavy lines beneath it symbolize coolant or liquid.
Color Significance: If the light is orange (as in the image), it’s a warning to take action soon but may not be an immediate emergency. If it turns red, it indicates a more severe issue, and you should stop driving immediately to avoid engine damage.
Possible Causes:
Low Coolant Level: The coolant might be low due to a leak or evaporation over time.
Cooling System Failure: A malfunctioning thermostat, radiator, water pump, or cooling fan could be preventing proper cooling.
Coolant Leak: There might be a leak in the radiator, hoses, or engine block.
Blocked Radiator: Debris or buildup might be obstructing airflow to the radiator.
Faulty Temperature Sensor: In rare cases, the sensor itself might be malfunctioning, giving a false reading.
What You Should Do:
Don’t Ignore It: An overheating engine can cause severe damage, like a blown head gasket or warped engine components.
Check Coolant Levels: If it’s safe, pull over and let the engine cool down completely (this can take 30 minutes or more). Then, check the coolant reservoir (usually a translucent plastic tank near the radiator). If it’s low, top it up with the correct coolant type (check your car’s manual for the right mix—usually a 50/50 water and antifreeze mix).
Look for Leaks: Inspect under the car for any puddles or signs of coolant leakage (coolant is often green, pink, or orange and has a sweet smell).
Monitor the Temperature Gauge: If your car has a temperature gauge, see if it’s in the red zone. If the warning light stays on or the gauge shows high temperatures, don’t drive.
Turn Off the AC and Turn On the Heater: If you must drive a short distance to a safe spot, turn off the air conditioning and turn the heater on full blast to draw heat away from the engine.
Get to a Mechanic: If the issue persists, or if the light comes back on after adding coolant, you should take the car to a mechanic to diagnose the problem properly. They can check for leaks, test the thermostat, and ensure the cooling system is working.
Safety Note:
Never open the radiator cap or coolant reservoir while the engine is hot—this can cause severe burns from hot steam or liquid.
If the light turns red, or if you see steam coming from under the hood, pull over immediately, turn off the engine, and call for roadside assistance.
If you’d like more specific advice (e.g., for a particular car make or model), let me know, and I can try to provide more tailored guidance! Would you like me to search for additional information about this warning light for your specific vehicle?
T made a 80 kilometre run today. Normal running temp around 110, turn left or right the warning symbol comes on and the temp drops about 10 degrees. After a few minutes driving raise up to normal operating temperature. Very consistent. Reinstalled the old expansion tank cap. Still the same issue. Weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.
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