Technical "Excessive radiator fluid temperature" Anyone know exact problem?

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Technical "Excessive radiator fluid temperature" Anyone know exact problem?

andipunto

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hi guys, over the past few months on the ODD ocassion when starting (usually in the cold) my car has failed first time and said "Excessive radiator fluid temperature" does anyone know the exact problem with this as its getting colder now and it has done in twise 2/3 times today.

Thanks.
 
I have seen on some threads that the excessive temperature is because the car needs a software update. As for the starting problems get your battery tested! If it is a new battery, the alternator is something which seems to be a common problem on these cars.
 
hi guys, over the past few months on the ODD ocassion when starting (usually in the cold) my car has failed first time and said "Excessive radiator fluid temperature" does anyone know the exact problem with this as its getting colder now and it has done in twise 2/3 times today.

Thanks.

I have seen on some threads that the excessive temperature is because the car needs a software update. As for the starting problems get your battery tested! If it is a new battery, the alternator is something which seems to be a common problem on these cars.

Elliot read the first post if its only happening when the car is struggling to start its more than likely the battery the software issue was on early cars which where putting that message up on nearly every turn of the key whether the car started ok or not..


the battery been low can cause all sort of issues the Temperature sensor works by return of voltage to the ECU

12V return signal = Cold

9V = warming up

6V= up to temperature

4V= hot

2= overheating...


((not actual voltages but you get the idea))


a degraded battery will drop voltage when loaded (by the starter motor for example) giving a false reading to the cars computer and the subsequent warnings
 
TBH, the software update was to recalibrate the ECU parameters to help it cope in low voltage conditions, such as a cold start. The small capacity battery fitted to the 1.2/1.4 8v exasperates the problem and makes it more likely to happen as it's already border-line.

Best thing to do is to fit a slightly larger battery (we would tend to fit the larger 1.3 mjet battery), and possibly call in to your Dealer and get them to see if the software upgrade was applicable to your car. If it's well outside of warranty and the car has not been Dealer-maintained, there may be a small labour/diagnostic charge to apply the update.
 
I now use an exide 64A 640ah and the "Excessive radiator fluid temperature" still keeps blinking now and then. It is not a battery issue...i've searched A LOT! ECU updates you, name it...nothing...so i learned to live with it.
The starting issue could be the alternator, or the injectors ( do you use a tuning box?).
If it always happens when it is cold, check your glow plugs too.
If nothing from all of these solves the problem, check the fuel you use...
 
Ok thanks loads guys. Something I didn't state was it is a 1.9 mjet if that changes anything?

I'm going to have my battery checked the only other thing I can think to do is check the glow plugs and maybe alternator?
 
I had this issue for months.. finally took it to the dealer. They told me
it was due to the radiator plastic shroud catching on the blades of the radiator. This had caused a fuse to blow. They replaced the fuse and advised me to get a new shroud fitted at $850 AUD:eek:, as the fuse would eventually blow again. I thought $850 would buy a hell of a lot of fuses:)
 
I had this issue for months.. finally took it to the dealer. They told me
it was due to the radiator plastic shroud catching on the blades of the radiator. This had caused a fuse to blow. They replaced the fuse and advised me to get a new shroud fitted at $850 AUD:eek:, as the fuse would eventually blow again. I thought $850 would buy a hell of a lot of fuses:)


what for a bit of plastic :eek: :eek: :eek: Take it you mean the fan is catching on the shroud?


I'd be getting a sharp knife out and doing a bit of trimming
 
Ok thanks loads guys. Something I didn't state was it is a 1.9 mjet if that changes anything?

I'm going to have my battery checked the only other thing I can think to do is check the glow plugs and maybe alternator?

Mine does it now and again too mate (1.9mjet). Replaced the battery for a top of the range Varta job, and although it hasn't totally fixed it, it now only happens now and again - maybe 1 in 20 cold starts.

Oddly, it really needs you to wait for the glow plugs to warm up from stone cold leading me to think its at least partially caused by the notoriously-hard-to-reach glow plug on cylinder 1.

Even when it fluffs the start, it always works second time, and as far as I know my rad fan is fine.

HTH!
 
I bought my 57 plate 1.25L Grande Punto second hand two days ago, and it's been icy cold here both mornings I have had the car. It started fine first time yesterday morning, but today it took around 5 attempts! First few times I didn't have my foot on the accelerator (my last car was a push to start so it's been a few years since I had to do this!) but as soon as I tried with my foot down it worked ok. The engine management light came on along with the "excessive radiator fluid temp" warning... then disappeared. I'm totally new to Fiat, so any info that may help will be appreciated! Would I be right in saying it could be the same as with the 1.9MJ?
 
If car starts fine through now to this evening i would say the battery is on its way out. It was alot colder this morning than it was yesterday. :)


Or car might have been sitting around before you bought it, so might just need a good charge.
 
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Thanks for that, the car only had 22.5k miles on it as the elderly couple I bought it from only used it for a 3 mile round trip to work 5 days a week. It was being used but not as much as I've used it in the last 2 days! Bought it in Inverness, drove it back to Aberdeen and done a few 15 mile round trips since then...

Only tried starting using the accelerator pedal because I knew my boyfriend's grumpy dad would have had something to say - about the fact I bought it two days ago and it's already 'broken' - if I didn't get a move on! Sadly, he chapped on the window and started asking questions before I got going!
 
Hi guys,

Has there been any resolution to this... Ive called main dealer and they want £92 for an hours labour to get my ECU updated... There surely must be another way?
 
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