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2005 Silverado Crew 5.3l Overheating Or Faulty Guage?

JJonesee

By JJonesee
in Ask A GM Technician

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JJonesee Enthusiast

JJonesee

Posted
Posted

So about 3 weeks ago sitting in some heavy traffic, out of no where my water temperature gauge pegs. Moves fast over to 260. A very long minute passes and traffic starts to move, and I limp over to the shoulder. As I am making my way over the gauge swings back to just below 210. It moved fast, not the normal creep I am used to. I was not moving very fast.

 

It drove fine with no issues after that. I changed the oil, and battery under normal conditions. (still had factory battery, figured it was time)

 

So last night coming home again in traffic it overheated again, but once I started moving it went to normal. When I get the message "Engine Coolant Hot" message, the AC warms up. (I guess the ECM disengages the compressor under this?) I pulled over and lifted the hood, nothing was gurgling, or steaming. Overflow bottle looked normal.

 

Today coming home from work, sitting in traffic it overheated again. This time it crept up like I would expect. I pulled over and again no gurgling or hissing. Upper hose is hot to touch, but I can keep my hand on for a second or two before its unbearable. Electric fans are turning, and there is warm air pulling across the radiator. (Overflow tank is a little low when it cooled off)

 

I stopped near a stealership, so I walked over. I go over my symptoms, guy goes through typical things. Tells me that the 03-05's had problems with the dash and it could be replaced for $150. Something about the parts are free if under 80K? (75K on truck)

 

A diagnostic is $99.00. Am I wasting my time? Should I start swapping parts?

bill190 Enthusiast

bill190

Posted
Posted

Well that certainly makes sense as you did not see any signs of overheating.

 

Now in my case the temperature gauge pegged, I pulled over, and coolant was bubbling out of the radiator cap. I replaced the thermostat and all is well now.

 

I suppose you could get a thermal sensor and see if the engine really is overheating.

JJonesee Enthusiast

JJonesee

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Well that certainly makes sense as you did not see any signs of overheating.

 

Now in my case the temperature gauge pegged, I pulled over, and coolant was bubbling out of the radiator cap. I replaced the thermostat and all is well now.

 

I suppose you could get a thermal sensor and see if the engine really is overheating.

 

 

That is my next step. Thanks.

txab Senior Enthusiast

txab

Posted
Posted
So about 3 weeks ago sitting in some heavy traffic, out of no where my water temperature gauge pegs. Moves fast over to 260. A very long minute passes and traffic starts to move, and I limp over to the shoulder. As I am making my way over the gauge swings back to just below 210. It moved fast, not the normal creep I am used to. I was not moving very fast.

 

It drove fine with no issues after that. I changed the oil, and battery under normal conditions. (still had factory battery, figured it was time)

 

So last night coming home again in traffic it overheated again, but once I started moving it went to normal. When I get the message "Engine Coolant Hot" message, the AC warms up. (I guess the ECM disengages the compressor under this?) I pulled over and lifted the hood, nothing was gurgling, or steaming. Overflow bottle looked normal.

 

Today coming home from work, sitting in traffic it overheated again. This time it crept up like I would expect. I pulled over and again no gurgling or hissing. Upper hose is hot to touch, but I can keep my hand on for a second or two before its unbearable. Electric fans are turning, and there is warm air pulling across the radiator. (Overflow tank is a little low when it cooled off)

 

I stopped near a stealership, so I walked over. I go over my symptoms, guy goes through typical things. Tells me that the 03-05's had problems with the dash and it could be replaced for $150. Something about the parts are free if under 80K? (75K on truck)

 

A diagnostic is $99.00. Am I wasting my time? Should I start swapping parts?

 

The original bulletin I saw covered only to 70k. You might want to double check

redvett Senior Enthusiast

redvett

Posted
Posted

If engine really overheats the SES light will come on and you will have reduced power. I suspect a bad cluster or connection.

JJonesee Enthusiast

JJonesee

Posted
  • Author
Posted
If engine really overheats the SES light will come on and you will have reduced power. I suspect a bad cluster or connection.

 

Dealer is saying the pump has a small crack in it. Does not really explain my symptoms. Seems if its leaking, it would get hot and stay hot. I have not seen any fluid on the ground, but however the tank was about a little low.

 

Time to change the water pump.

  • 1 month later...
Bassfishga New Member

Bassfishga

Posted
Posted

So did you come up with a solution?

 

I had them temp shoot up for a second and drop back down fast, in like 2 seconds so I took it in after noticing the coolant was low and there was a leek on top of the water pump. Topped off the coolant and it never overheated again until... They replaced the water pump and thermostat but now saying they can't get it to quit overheating. Still at the dealership for 4 days now. 65K miles on it.

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