ChrisfA8L

Vehicle: 2001 A8L
Outside temp: 12F
Vehicle temp guage on second mark, quite cold.
Vehicle had been sitting for 1 hour in 12F temp.
Vehicle running time till the indicator lit up and the chime sounded: 30 - 45 seconds.

What are the possible reasons that a cold motor would show an over temp indication in the check system, yet the temp guage was almost on the cold line and the outside temp and running time support that the engine was not hot?
Sensor? Sensor lead loose?
I found it quite troubling to hear the chime and then see that warning symbol fill the middle of the display on the dash.

Thanks.

Chris Friot
'01 A8L 79k miles
'97 BMW 540i
'94 BMW 740i
'94 BMW 325ica

Always Overcharged

check fluid level

ChrisfA8L

Wouldn't low fluid give me a different warning first? Why would I get the high temp warning and chime so quickly after starting out and in such cold weather?
I will need to wait till morning to check the fluid level.
Chris

tozoM8

I saw it this morning a few times.

ChrisfA8L

I checked it this morning when it was cold and the fluid level was 1/4 to 1/2 inch below the MIN line. When I saw the light come on I had just pulled out of a parking lot and made a sharp left turn. I suspect that the fluid sloshed to one side of the reseviour triggering the indicator.
Thanks for the help.
Chris

Always Overcharged

were exactly the same-small drop in fluid levels-turned out plastic tube in cooler was leaking