glkwalker

2010 GLK Canadian;
80000 kilometers;
Yesterday, I was in traffic jam on a 401 highway Toronto, going slow, start-stop and I got gray icon on the dashboard which means "Coolant". No other words close to it, icon only. I heard turbine-like sound from the fan which was going crazy. Then the warning disappeared for two hours. Then it appeared again with "Windshield washer liquid low" icon. Then both icons disappeared and there are no warning icons at all. When I open the hood the fan isn't spinning at all but the oil temp is always around 85C which is pretty normal.

1. So I am wondering - should the fan be spinning from the very first second or it starts only when the temperature goes above 90C?
2. And should I worry now or I should wait for the Coolant sign to appear again? The "service menu" has 0 messages.

Just for information, at the moment when the sign appeared:
-1C temperature outside;
~85C coolant temperature.

dcjwlee

Wait until your car cools down (overnight?) and check your coolant level. Check your manual for change intervals.

phil17

could be a bad thermostat too. When mine was going bad i would hear the turbine noise and the temp guage would fluctuate around. Good luck!

glkwalker

Guys, does you fan starts spinning as soon as you start the engine?

Koenig1

The fan will come on always, if your AC is pressed! Before starting the engine, take off the AC button and try it.... All vehicles with AC have the fans programmed to run if AC is switched on.

glkwalker

My fan isn't spinning at all even when I have AC on, but when the oil icon appears the fan goes like turbine. Is it a problem?

GLKKa2H

For an appearing Coolant symbol, is the manual mainly referring it to be a "coolant is too hot" problem, although it really is a Coolant Low warning. The Coolant temperature gauge reading was more or less normal and the Coolant temperature warning lamp was not lit.

The Windshield washer liquid low symbol is apparently a separate story, however - without creating big worries - do I point at the fact that there are reported cases where the engine coolant loop (for heating) in the windshield washer tank, has started leaking coolant into the tank. Verified by discolored washer fluid (- level and smell?).

AccelToronto

I would not panic. Cool the car, check and top-off coolant. If symbol appears again, visit the shop, but I doubt it will appear till same time next year. Long story, but this is normal in these vehicles

Igor.

glkwalker

Thanks Igor'. I will top off the coolant tomorrow. The only one doubt left is that the fan isn't spinning at all even with air conditioner ON. But the temperature didn't go above 90C today. So I believe thermostat works perfectly. My car is not on warranty so going to official dealership may be expensive, that's why I am trying to understand the problem myself (and also I like figuring out in everything)