Thermometer warning light

[splashz]

I had a warning light come on today:


I live in the Boston area, and it's somewhat cold today, around 30-40 degrees. That's nothing compared to typical winters in this area though. When I started my car this morning, I noticed that the air vents were not blowing warm air in the car even though I had the internal temp set to 70. It was blowing cold air. I shrugged this off as whatever and turned off the fan for now.

Then the light came on. Shortly after the light came on, my gas pedal stopped working. I would press the gas but my car wouldn't accelerate. I pulled over immediately while I decided what to do. I sat on the side of the road for a few minutes with the car off. I decided to try to make it to my friend's house which was a few blocks away. I started the car up and it was back to normal, but I didn't want to take any chances so I still drove it to my friend's place and left it there.

Does anyone know what this could be? Quick googling suggests that my coolant could be leaking but I topped up on coolant like a month ago and I'm pretty sure the coolant levels are ok.

[whitebimmer09]

Your car has around 65k +- miles. Water pump.

[splashz]

Hmm, that's almost dead on correct about the mileage. How much does that cost to fix? I'm honestly just thinking about selling the car. I don't really need it and the maintenance costs are piling up.

[c_ozanich]

mine was around $480 but I did it myself

[NorthernDancer]

If you read your owners manual:

Yellow=engine too hot; continue driving at a more moderate speed so engine can cool down. Have engine checked if reoccurs

Red=pull over and stop-shut engine off & call for tow. I suppose you could let it cool down for 2-3 hours then try driving a short distance

[c_ozanich]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

If you read your owners manual:

Yellow=engine too hot; continue driving at a more moderate speed so engine can cool down. Have engine checked if reoccurs

Red=pull over and stop-shut engine off & call for tow. I suppose you could let it cool down for 2-3 hours then try driving a short distance

those colors are based on a rate of change of the cooling system, not the actual temperature. If the cooling capacity slows or feels that it cannot keep up with the rate that the temperature is increasing, you get a yellow light. If the rate of change is definitively beyond what it is capable of, you get a red light. Either way it's best to just stop and leave the electronics on so the fans will run and cool the engine off and then continue home/where ever. I got the yellow light twice and changed my water pump and hasn't came back. It was definitely failing, don't risk further damage. Be smart about your vehicular investment

[darkrom]

Originally Posted by splashz

Hmm, that's almost dead on correct about the mileage. How much does that cost to fix? I'm honestly just thinking about selling the car. I don't really need it and the maintenance costs are piling up.

$1k-1500 at the dealer. $400-600 in parts to DIY or take to independent shop.

[whitebimmer09]

Wait til your injectors start acting up.

Or your ac starts to weaken... You will love getting those fixed...

Or a headlight.