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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.
Guys, does you fan starts spinning as soon as you start the engine?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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 gaugereading 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?).
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.
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
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.
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)
This thread was opened 13 years ago to the day (Christmas Day).
On my 2014 the "coolant" warning light apparently only means there is a problem with the coolant temp sensor. What does your gauge say?
Hi - I get temp. warning symbol followed with a little fluctuation on the temp. gauge. I changed thermostat, coolant sensor, water pump, coolant reservoir tank so far but there must be something else.
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
Originally Posted by alianiki1
Did you find the problem? I have the exact same issue on my 2010 GLK.
I doubt you're going to get a response from the OP ... they were last seen Feb 2014
So it seems your issue is related to the temperature for the coolant system.
Fortunately for us, we've only seen the "coolant low" message on the dash (fixed by adding a few ounces of coolant to fill reservoir).
You also wrote:
I get temp. warning symbol followed with a little fluctuation on the temp. gauge.
I changed thermostat, coolant sensor, water pump, coolant reservoir tank so far but there must be something else.
( Swapping parts in the hope of solving an issue can be expensive!! )
So, a question ... did you change all those parts **because** you originally had a "coolant temperature" warning on the dash??
Did you check for any stored codes?
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.
Thanks. The issue that I am facing is exactly as it is described by glkwalker in May 2012.
When it’s cold Fill up coolant to the level marker and look for the leak . Don’t wait until it blows . Check the level every morning , don’t rely on idiot lights . The last thing you want is a coolant leak that will destroy the motor in just minutes . I now have an intermittent leak and I’m using UV dye and an IR light to locate . Any decent leak and you won’t have time to stop before the motor is finished . Keep a gallon of antifreeze on hand
Thanks. The coolant has fresh antifreeze, and it is on the max level when cool or hot. Absolutely no coolant leak.
I believe the coolant symbol is different from the temperature symbol; hence, it must be something other than coolant, the thermostat, the water pump, the coolant level sensor, or the coolant reservoir tank, as they are all new!
My problem is exactly as stated by "glkwalker" in May 2012. It would be great if her/she share the solution with us.
How hot does the gauge show , thermostats can stick when old. A bad coolant tank cap can cause overheating but you might see it boil over if it’s bad . A problem with fan or temp sensor . Look at the temperature to see how hot it gets
It never rises above 90—it stays around 90 for seconds only before the fan starts to kick in. The thermostat was replaced in March 2025. The coolant reservoir, including the cap, was changed last week, but the problem remains. Attached, please find a video that shows the temperature symbol and the gauge. IMG_3518.MOV
OK, first of all, ignore my previous post. I was thinking warning light, not warning message. Second, do you have the Owner's Manual? What does it say?
This is from the OM for 2014:
Do you have any text, or just the icon? For 2014, the icon alone seems to mean that the fan isn't coming on, or isn't effective. Make sure the fan spins freely and there's nothing blocking or plugging the radiator.
Thanks. My OM says the same thing as yours. It could be the fan. I am thinking of replacing the new thermostat again, plus a new radiator and fan. It is getting expensive, but it seems there is no choice. No icon, only the warning message/symbol.
Why replace a part without a known problem with that part ? That makes no sense, is the mechanic recommending this ? All that could cost 1000$ +++. All that money and it could be a 15$ coolant cap or a blown head gasket !!! You need it diagnosed by a pro. Post a photo of the actual temp when it happens . I’m no pro but I would not just start throwing money at parts . It could be as simple as a corroded electrical connection.
Post a photo of temp when high, 85-87-90c Is not high. Is it warm where you are ? A 190-195f thermostat is normal in most cars . 90c is 194 f, that’s completely normal and not a reason of any concern . The fan may come on near 90 but that is normal. The light coming on would more likely be a sensor or corroded wire, but not worth worrying about since the motor seems to be at proper temp, you said it shows about 90. I’m wondering what kind of mechanic you have that still says “it might be the fan” . If a mechanic is directing you he is no good in many ways . It seems nobody has looked at the basics but you spent over 1000 and for what ? And you want to spend another 1000+++ 💰💰if temp is actually high and you can’t find a fix try flushing cleaning the radiator
I’m wondering what kind of mechanic you have that still says “it might be the fan” .
I have to disagree. The indication he's getting appears to target the fan directly. It would be nice to know exactly what logic it takes to trigger that warning. Absent that info we should still consider that the ECM is finding something it doesn't like when it commands the fan on. Either fan related, like current draw, or lack of expected temperature response to the fan coming on would be my guess.
One check would be if he can correlate the fan coming on with the appearance of the warning.
Were codes looked at , something should be in a code I would think . He said he gets to 90c , is that what his gauge shows as a high? . Is the temp sensor a separate piece on the block or in the thermostat and is that what controls everything? . When is the fan called for, is it 95? Is it actually running warm? 90 isn’t hot but might trigger the cooling fan but I thought it came on a bit higher . Replacing everything is not the way to go it has to be diagnosed and as of now nothing has been found out. The cheapest fan from fcp and installing it is around 700$, another thermostat maybe 300$ . A good mechanic could diagnose this in an hour or two. A lot cheaper than the parts cannon.
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