Where should 2000 Eldorado Temp Gauge sit

[jpl137]

Yesterday I was on a roughly 10 mile drive (in a 2000 Eldorado ETC) and I notice my engine temp gauge seemed to rise quickly to center (Between C and H) and sit slightly to right of center. Is this normal operating temperature? It seemed hot to me. I'm curious because I'm supposed to go on a 150 mile drive tonight and I'd hate to overheat far from home in all this snow.

I apologize for my ignorance, I'm not super mechanical and I'm brand new to the forums. Any advice would be very appreciated. Also, I recently added coolant.

[Eric]

Top is normal 198-220

[jpl137]

Thank you Eric! So I should assume if I hit the first dash to the right (235) then I'm running hot?

[CarlaValentine]

I believe the radiator fans will kick into high at 235 degrees (or with the AC on), so if it DOES get that hot, it should drop back down once the fans kick up. If it doesn't, then there maybe something wrong with the fan system. I was told on here that 240 degrees would be considered the beginning overheating mark and it shouldn't exceed that.

[BodybyFisher]

I believe the radiator fans will kick into high at 235 degrees (or with the AC on), so if it DOES get that hot, it should drop back down once the fans kick up. If it doesn't, then there maybe something wrong with the fan system. I was told on here that 240 degrees would be considered the beginning overheating mark and it shouldn't exceed that.

You should not see 240 degrees unless the conditions are severe, ie, bumper to bumper traffic in AUGUST temps. With a cooling system that is in good shape, that is not a reason to panic

PCM will command fan operation when:

LOW SPEED FAN OPERATION

• Engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 106°C (229°F).
• Transmission fluid temperature exceeds 150°C (302°F).
• A/C operation is requested.
• After the vehicle is shut OFF if the coolant temperature at key-off is more than 151°C (304°F) and system voltage was more than 12 volts. The fans will stay ON for approximately 3 minutes.

The fans will switch from low to OFF when the coolant drops below 102°C (216°F).

HIGH SPEED FAN OPERATION

• Engine coolant temperature reaches 112°C (234°F).
• Transmission temperature is more than 151°C (304°F).
• When certain DTCs set.

The fans will switch from high to low (except DTCs set) when the coolant drops below 106°C (229°F).

[jpl137]

Thanks Carla and Bobby. It's currently running around 225 and it's below freezing outside. I'll attempt my long trip tonight, keep eye on it tonight and it creeps past that 235 line, I'll shut it down...

[BodybyFisher]

225 sounds high, check your coolant level, check the purge line to see that it flows coolant, and possibly change the thermostat

[caddypete]

If you are really worried about the temp, you can set your DIC to show the temp.

[Eric]

Setting DIC to display temp is a good idea. Below is a post I copied that tells how to do it.

THIS ONLY WORKS FOR THE FOLLOWING MODELS!!!

96-02 Eldorado, ETC, ESC

96-97 Seville, STS, SLS

96-99 Deville, Concourse, DeElegance

~~~~~TO ADD COOLANT AND MPH DIC MESSAGE~~~~~

1) Press the OFF and PASS WARMER (referred to from here as WARMER) buttons simultaneously to enter diagnostic mode.

2) Let the system read any codes it has stored. You will ultimately be presented with "PCM?". You will answer with the fan speed control button. UP = yes and DOWN = no.

3) Press DOWN until you are presented with "IPC?". On mine, it's the very next prompt. When you get to the "IPC?" prompt, press UP to enter the IPC area (Instrument Panel Cluster).

4) Press DOWN until you are presented with "IPC OVERRIDE?". Press UP to enter the override area.

5) Scroll down (with the DOWN button) until you get to Option E. Wait a second or two, and the override value will appear to the right where the TRIP ODOMETER normally reads. Yours will probably read "43". That's what mine read when I first did this.

Below are the Option E values:

- Coolant Temp message (64)

- Battery Volts message (32)

- Engine RPM message (16)

- Avg Mph message (8)

- Mph message (4)

- Fuel Used message (2)

- Inst Mpg message (1)

The stock displays (for analog E/K displays) are Battery Volts, Avg Mph, Fuel Used, and Inst Mpg, for a total value of "43".

6) Use the WARMER button to increment the value of the override. In this case, we want to add Coolant Temp, so we're going to add "64" to "43", or "107". Press the WARMER button repeatedly to increment the value from "43" to "107".

If you make a mistake, you can decrement the value by pressing the COOLER button.

7) To permanently save the new value, hold the FRONT DEFROST and the A/C buttons simultaneously until the new override value flashes once.

8) You're done. Press OFF repeatedly to "back out" of the diagnostic system. You'll probably need to press OFF 5 or 6 times to get out of the deep "menu structure" you're in now.

Now, the coolant temp (in units specified) should be one "stop" along the revolving door we call the DIC. If you are in metric units, the coolant temp will read in *C. If you are in standard units, it'll read in *F.

~~~~~TO SHUT OFF DRLS~~~~~

1-4 FOLLOW ABOVE DIRECTIONS!!!

5) Scroll down (with the DOWN button) until you get to Option C. Wait a second or two, and the override value will appear to the right where the TRIP ODOMETER normally reads.

Below are the Option C values:

IPS03 Option C

- RSS installed (128)

-Premium Unleaded Fuel Only -

-Graphic supression (digital) (64)

-Daytime running lamps enabled (32)

-Cellular Telephone Installed (16)

-BTSI message suppression (4)

-Options not set (2)

-FUEL LEVEL LOW message suppresion (1)

6) Use the COOLER button to decrease the value of the override. In this case, we want to remove the DRLs so subtract your number by 32

If you make a mistake, you can decrement the value by pressing the WARMER button.

7) To permanently save the new value, hold the FRONT DEFROST and the A/C buttons simultaneously until the new override value flashes once.

8) You're done. Press OFF repeatedly to "back out" of the diagnostic system. You'll probably need to press OFF 5 or 6 times to get out of the deep "menu structure" you're in now.

NOTE!!!!

in order for your drls to ACTUALLY BE OFF your twilight must be pushed all the way to the left and your fog lights (when applicable) must be off as well!!!

HOPE THIS HELPS

ETC97

[BodybyFisher]

Good info Eric, thanks

[Ranger]

WARNING

It is my understanding that you have one opportunity to do this and it MUST be done correctly. You CANNOT back out of the procedure and if it is screwed up, you have to replace the DIC.

[BodybyFisher]

WARNING

It is my understanding that you have one opportunity to do this and it MUST be done correctly. You CANNOT back out of the procedure and if it is screwed up, you have to replace the DIC.

Thanks for that reminder Ranger, we had a member in France have a big problem playing with the customization and he needed to have the car towed to a dealer.

You are right on with your warning