- Apr 24, 2012
- 178
The dummy check engine light came on today while my wife was driving. The engine temperature gauge never left cold. She drove where she was going and shut it off. It sat for 3 or 4 hours. She started it again and went to her sisters. She called me when she got there. She said it wouldn't start. She said it sounded like it was trying to start after it was sorta running, (but not grinding). I drove in and checked fluids to be safe. All fluid levels were normal and not mixing. I tried starting it and it didn't start right away. I tried a second time and had to give it gas to get it to start. It started and of course smelt of rich fuel. It seemed to run ok. I got my wife to drive it home, (20 minutes). The factory engine temperature gauge never moved off of cold. I do have a scangauge installed and the temperature stayed around 190 F, plus or minus a few degrees. It did climb to 198 F sitting in traffic, and dropped back to 190 F when driving. The truck is now parked. I know GM has issues with electrical and their instrument clusters. Do I need a new temperature gauge, sensor, sending unit, or is there something much more major? Also, why would the truck not want to start? Does it go into a safe mode or something when it senses that the engine is not at temperature?
Please note that I have the Denali with the 5.3 liter V8, and not the 4.2, 6 cylinder.
Please note that I have the Denali with the 5.3 liter V8, and not the 4.2, 6 cylinder.