Overheating, low coolant light comes on, temperature gauge jumps up

Hi Stacey Ann Sik,

This sounds like an issue with the coolant temperature sensor. I included the procedure to replace it but I want to confirm this by running some tests. The thing that leads me to this is when you say it "jumps to 280." Coolant temperatures should not jump. They are gradual and not sudden. When something rapidly jumps to specific temp, leads me to think there is a sensor issue.

The way to test this, is to monitor it with a scan tool to see what the engine temperature is and then use an infrared temperature meter to see what you engine actual temperature is. They should be close. If you don't have a scan tool to monitor data you can use a voltage meter to test it. Simply remove the sensor and hook up your meter leads to the two pins and then place the sensor in a pot of water. Obviously, don't submerge it, just put the metal end in the water. Put the meter on resistance or ohms, and you should be able to watch the resistance steadily increase as you raise the temperature of the water. Any jumping or erratic action shows the sensor is bad.

Please let me know if you have questions or if you have already addressed this. If so, we can go to the next step but this is the first thing we need to check. Thanks