Jump to content

Engine Hot A/c Turned Off Code - Not Really Hot

merf23

By merf23
in Ask A GM Technician

 Share

Recommended Posts

merf23 Enthusiast

merf23

Posted
Posted

I have a 2008 1500 4x4 4.3 V6 with 40000miles. Recently the ENGINE HOT A/C TURNED OFF warning pops up, but the engine isnt really hot. It seems to reset itself after a while. I though it did it more in wet weather, but today is dry (though yesterday rained). It did this yesterday. FIrst i disconnected the temp sensor on the left head, then reconnected it. It looked clean. This did nothing. Then, I disconnected the battery, and when i reconnected it 20 min later it was back to normal. I drove about 20 minutes twice today, at the end of the second trip it did it again. There was a recall to remove the insulation from the under seat computer, which i had done. It had the problem prior to this, and still does. Its probably occurred 10 times in the last 6 months, 7-8000 miles.

 

DO i justs need a temp sensor, or is it possible more involved?

 

thanks

Sean

beave84 Enthusiast

beave84

Posted
Posted
I have a 2008 1500 4x4 4.3 V6 with 40000miles. Recently the ENGINE HOT A/C TURNED OFF warning pops up, but the engine isnt really hot. It seems to reset itself after a while. I though it did it more in wet weather, but today is dry (though yesterday rained). It did this yesterday. FIrst i disconnected the temp sensor on the left head, then reconnected it. It looked clean. This did nothing. Then, I disconnected the battery, and when i reconnected it 20 min later it was back to normal. I drove about 20 minutes twice today, at the end of the second trip it did it again. There was a recall to remove the insulation from the under seat computer, which i had done. It had the problem prior to this, and still does. Its probably occurred 10 times in the last 6 months, 7-8000 miles.

 

DO i justs need a temp sensor, or is it possible more involved?

 

thanks

Sean

 

 

Do you have a block heater?

merf23 Enthusiast

merf23

Posted
  • Author
Posted

no block heater...Connecticut isnt quite that cold.

 

it did it again. i disconnected the battery for 1 min, and that reset it

  • 5 months later...
masabe New Member

masabe

Posted
Posted
no block heater...Connecticut isnt quite that cold.

 

it did it again. i disconnected the battery for 1 min, and that reset it

 

This problem is all over the internet but I have yet to see a reasonable fix posted. I see some say to replace the thermostat, but the temperature guage drops to lowest reading instantly, which tells me that the engine temperature is not actually changing. Plus the problem can linger a few days and then the guage will instantly jump to a correct reading and all will be ok, until next time. some have said they have replaced the temperature sensor with no luck. Does anyone know the answer or can they explain how the thermostat can cause this to happen? I am thinking the computer must be involved in this somehow.

redvett Senior Enthusiast

redvett

Posted
Posted

If the engine was hot 255F or higher the PCM would have a code and the SES light would have been on. I suspect a electrical problem possibly the cluster. BTW the PCM is not under the seat its in the engine compartment.

Beer Belly Enthusiast

Beer Belly

Posted
Posted

I was just going to post the same problem with my buddies 2008 Impala....probably the same issue

  • 2 weeks later...
texas2golfer New Member

texas2golfer

Posted
Posted

Here is my situation. 4.8l v6. 2008. Truck has no issues as long as the outside temp is about about 75*. Once temps go below that I have problems. I leave to go to work and truck has sat all night. Once I drive about 7 miles the temp guage goes from normal to nothing and my A/C wont work. If I disconnect the battery the guage goes back to normal and the A/C works fine until the next morning. Also if I don't disconnect the battery I can get on the highway on the way home and it will start working within 100 yards of the same place every day. I have no problems in the summer, but on the coldest days after sitting all weekend it shows engine hot. It has got to be something to do with the ambient temp.

  • 3 months later...
masabe New Member

masabe

Posted
Posted

I have found This is a common problem. GM engineers have apparently decided that if the engine temperature is too low (example 195deg) that they will display "engine too hot turning ac off". I had the same problem and replaced the engine temperature sensor but that didn't fix the problem. I had GM replace the thermostat and that fixed the problem. It doesn't make sense to display this on an engine that is too cool, but that is how it works.

  • 8 months later...
naedoba New Member

naedoba

Posted
Posted

This happened to me three times in my 2008 Silverado (4.3 V6). I took it to the dealer and they replaced the thermostat free of charge under the powertrain warranty. Aggravating, but at least it was a free fix.

  • 3 years later...
Jodi Parker New Member

Jodi Parker

Posted
Posted

I have a 2007 Chevy Silverado, with this same issue, I have changed the thermostat twice and it still keeps happening. Last Thermostat change the error did not happen for a few months but started up again and we finally have cool weather. Stopped unplugging battery to reset and when the weather is cold in the morning the temp guage will start up on it's own again, but the warmer the day gets or the longer drive the truck it comes back on, very annoying any real answers for the fix out there.

  • 4 weeks later...
fardanoh New Member

fardanoh

Posted
Posted

I Have the GMC Sierra 3500 HD with a Vortec 6.0L . I've faced this problem well over a year now, and i only encounter its appearance after it rains, while in summer the engine works perfectly. i knew that the problem is back only from the temp gauge going lower to 90 degrees when its normally 100 (Celsius because I'm in Dubai) but i know the normal engine temp is 100. I've changed the thermostat earlier but the problem wasn't fixed, i cleaned out the battery wires after it then the problem was fixed for well over 9 months. And now the problem is back and its taunting me and really really pissing me off. Please HELP me because its my daily driver truck and i just wanna get over with this shit and get it fixed. One trick i keep doing when this appears is that i disconnect the Battery wires and reconnecting again then the problem is fixed for a few hours, then its back again. The temp here in Dubai is over 40 degrees Celsius and i always boil while driving, Hell i even had to do the battery trick even when i was on a date. TWICE for gods sake, she never called again....

  • 1 year later...
Hoodman New Member

Hoodman

Posted
Posted

Hi everyone,

 

This is to help whoever can benefit from it.

 

First my background. 28 years as an ASE Master, L1, CA Smog Tech, B & L Inspector. Been doing this way too long!

 

This same issue started six months ago on my personal truck but it was very random to say the least. The problem would always disappear by the time I got to my destination until last week. Going by the symptoms, I knew this was a electrical/electronic problem and not a mechanical (thermostat) problem.

 

My diagnostics lead me to the BCM. Problem is that as soon as I touched the wire harness going to the BCM the fault disappeared and has not returned. I did however unplug and inspect for signs of poor connections and broken wires at the BCM. I have seen way to many times that wires will break inside the insulation due to excessive stress caused by engineers. The harness is very tight going to the BCM connectors. I hope this helps some you and I will add more if my ghost shows up again.

AgBioBen New Member

AgBioBen

Posted
Posted

Bought a 2011 Silverado a few months ago, same problem. Changed the thermostat to be certain and there was nothing wrong with it. Now I have a flashcal and I checked the engine temp when this A/C off code came up and the temp is just fine 168 at the moment (even though the needle stays at 0) No other codes or problems. Like you I suspect it's wiring or a connection. Thanks for the heads up, I'm going to see if it's around the BCM as well.

AgBioBen New Member

AgBioBen

Posted
Posted (edited)

On my way to work I received the same error again. I reached my left foot up behind the dash and tapped a wiring harness and immediately the error disappeared and the gauge went back to normal. Now to figure out which one it was.

Edited by 11BSilverado

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • XY74
      Roll up bed cover experiences

      By XY74 · Posted

      I have a Retrax pro that I first had on my 2020 chevy and transferred it to my current GMC.  It stays in the garage most of the time, so hard for me to judge it's long term weather resistance.  It still works perfectly, been very durable.  It doesn't see oil patch usage, but it's not a mall queen.  It keeps most things mostly dry (small leaks) and the security of it is enough to slow someone down but not keep them out for long.  I would buy one again, it works for me.     
    • fm2176
      New to Me 2010 SLE (Quirks, Issues)

      By fm2176 · Posted

      Thanks to the convenience of Amazon, I was able to get a few things done to the truck today.  I installed Carquest Premium oil and air filters with five quarts of Mobil1 High Mileage 10-30 along with a quart of Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30 I already had.  The latch for the flip up center console lid was broken so I replaced it along with the power mirror switch.  I found my push retainer assortment this morning and reattached the plastic under the bumper and it was only held on with a few screws and retainers.  Then I programmed a new remote keyless entry fob so I can lock my dog in the truck when I take her out with me (I've got to keep the air going for her since it's been in the 100s).  Finally, I ordered some LED interior bulbs and replaced the reading lamps.  The front lights are working fine while one of the back lights only works intermittently and the other not at all.   While under the truck, I found the source of at least one of the noises: the sway bar links need replacing.  I ordered a set of Suspension Dudes links with Code Red bushings.  Never heard of them, but they're made in the USA and have decent reviews.  While making yet another Amazon order, I went ahead and added a set of front tow hooks.  I went with red, since that's the color of the sway bar link and bushings and it should look decent enough on a black and chrome truck.  Speaking of which, it doesn't bug me much, but the passenger side mirror has a chrome cap while the driver side doesn't, so eventually I'll make them match one way or another.  Oh, and I ordered a $20 TPMS reset tool.  No idea if it will do anything for my sensors but it was cheap and will work for the Ford Transit Connect as well.     For tradition's sake, I ordered a new oil change wrench.  I kept the Snap-On 9/16"x15mm GM wrench I bought when I was 18 in the 2006 GMC from the time I bought that truck until the truck was lost.  While I was tempted, there's no need to spend $80 for a new SO wrench, or even $50 with shipping for a used one on Ebay.  I just bought a Duratech 15mm extra-long ratcheting wrench to do the job as needed.  It works, and if I like that wrench enough, I'll buy the set.  
    • Another JR
      Multigate electrical problem

      By Another JR · Posted

      The recall is for exactly this issue - those drain holes combined with the limited environmental capability of the tailgate electronics card inside the tailgate were a problem. The “safety issue” was the potential for the tailgate to spontaneously open, but all kinds of tailgate misbehavior can occur from water contamination of that control card.    There is no real fix yet. The initial recall just disabled the tailgate. Later, when parts became available, they would replace bad parts with new parts of the same bad design. My dealer is going nuts because the few times I let them get their hands on my truck, my tailgate is off due to a slide-in camper installation. They really want to cut my tailgate wires, but I won’t give them the chance. I will let them get their dirty hands on it when a real fix (redesign) is available.  My tailgate, which works just fine with sealant plugging the drain holes, will remain safe in a dry storage crate until then.  
    • JakeD
      Tire fitment

      By JakeD · Posted

      Yes your absolutely right, I been looking at the 4 inch BDS one and it acutely states you can use the stock 20’s just not the 17’s or 18’s, I also didn’t realize that with my 275/60r20 stock wheels I’m already running 33 inch diameter wheel setup lol so I can just run my stock wheels and tires atleast to start.
    • davester
      Tire fitment

      By davester · Posted

      I would expect that to be lift-kit dependent.  If the kit has interference issues w stock wheels, then the kit/manufacturer should indicate that somewhere.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...