2006 z4 3.0si temperature gauge hitting the red zone

geocu63 · 04-11-2018, 02:17 PM

hi everyone, hope everyone is doing great. i'm new to the forum. I wanted to share the problem im having so I may get some help.
I got a 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si convertible, which I got recently. on the day
I bought it, the temp gauge was normal and suddenly hit the red zone but the
engine didn't overheat (I got it towed though just in case). I thought that the water
pump failed since I had another 2006 BMW Z4 3.0i and the water pump failed on
the previous z4 as well. I replaced the water pump, thermostat and coolant temp
sensor, but the temp gauge still hits the red zone without the engine running as
soon as I turn on the ignition.
I don't drive the car, I removed the water pump,
thermostat and coolant temp sensor from the car, and the temp gauge still hits the
red zone once I turn on the ignition (I do NOT start the engine cause I removed
the engine cooling system components):
I checked all the fuses and they are ok. the battery is a brand new bmw battery. any ideas what the problem might be. Thanks.

gas-can · 04-11-2018, 02:48 PM

Since you removed the sensor and it still pegs to red immedately (even when engine is cool), I would be suspicious of the gauge cluster itself (and anything else that feeds from the computer? to that gauge).

Did you ever leave the car with the roof down in the rain? Maybe some rain got in there...

1) I think the cluster has a self test function; I'd try that first.
2) If you have the diagnostic head software (must get; ~$30 from ebay), I'd connect it to see what it says w/r to temp, any errors, and self checks runnable from there.

Also a heads up from what I remember: those eletric water pumps don't like being stored (after first install) without any coolant in them. If you do reinstall it, I think there is a specific procedure to do so (turn the turbine several times??). I'd check the spec.
Worstcase scenario, if those warnings are true, you may need a pump again prematurely...

-gc

04-11-2018, 02:17 PM	#1
geocu63 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2006 bmw z4 3.0si Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Panama City iTrader: (0)	2006 z4 3.0si temperature gauge hitting the red zone hi everyone, hope everyone is doing great. i'm new to the forum. I wanted to share the problem im having so I may get some help. I got a 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si convertible, which I got recently. on the day I bought it, the temp gauge was normal and suddenly hit the red zone but the engine didn't overheat (I got it towed though just in case). I thought that the water pump failed since I had another 2006 BMW Z4 3.0i and the water pump failed on the previous z4 as well. I replaced the water pump, thermostat and coolant temp sensor, but the temp gauge still hits the red zone without the engine running as soon as I turn on the ignition. I don't drive the car, I removed the water pump, thermostat and coolant temp sensor from the car, and the temp gauge still hits the red zone once I turn on the ignition (I do NOT start the engine cause I removed the engine cooling system components): I checked all the fuses and they are ok. the battery is a brand new bmw battery. any ideas what the problem might be. Thanks.
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04-11-2018, 02:48 PM	#2
gas-can Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 204 Posts Drives: 2006 3.0i Roadster Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Since you removed the sensor and it still pegs to red immedately (even when engine is cool), I would be suspicious of the gauge cluster itself (and anything else that feeds from the computer? to that gauge). Did you ever leave the car with the roof down in the rain? Maybe some rain got in there... 1) I think the cluster has a self test function; I'd try that first. 2) If you have the diagnostic head software (must get; ~$30 from ebay), I'd connect it to see what it says w/r to temp, any errors, and self checks runnable from there. Also a heads up from what I remember: those eletric water pumps don't like being stored (after first install) without any coolant in them. If you do reinstall it, I think there is a specific procedure to do so (turn the turbine several times??). I'd check the spec. Worstcase scenario, if those warnings are true, you may need a pump again prematurely... -gc
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