I have a 2003 BMW Z4 3.5i (E85). This is my 3rd winter with the car, and it has about 72K miles on it now (only had 14.5K miles when I got it). I have never had any problem with the car yet. Today it is 0°F/-17°C in Chicago.
I went out to my car and started it this morning to let it warm up for about 10 minutes while I got a few things together for work (I don’t normally warm it up).
When I came back and got in the car the interior temperature okay, and the heat blowing on high setting was only medium-warm.
The coolant temperature gauge needle was pinned to the right (red hot zone) and the red warning light was flashing, so I immediately shut off the car. The radiator cap never blew off and there was no coolant anywhere on the ground.
Do you think I have a defective sensor, a bad thermostat, or a dead fan?
I wanted to check under the hood but it was frozen shut.
Sounds like you need to have the Coolant / Anti-freeze changed. Probably freezing up and causing issues. It might have been some time since it has been done. The level in which it operates comes down over time. Have the coolant changed and this should take care of the issues you are having.
If it continues after you have this done, post in the comments below.
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