BMW M550i xDrive Temperature gauge is maxed out Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(6,607)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(6,607)

Temperature gauge is maxed out Inspection Service

How much does a Temperature gauge is maxed out Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a BMW M550i xDrive Temperature gauge is maxed out Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2018 BMW M550i xDriveV8-4.4L TurboService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
2019 BMW M550i xDriveV8-4.4L TurboService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2020 BMW M550i xDriveV8-4.4L TurboService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2021 BMW M550i xDriveV8-4.4L TurboService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
Show example BMW M550i xDrive Temperature gauge is maxed out Inspection prices

Your car’s engine needs to maintain the right operating temperature. As it runs, it creates immense amounts of heat. Coolant is circulated through the engine to absorb heat, and then it goes back to the radiator, where the radiator fan helps wick away the collected heat. Once cooled, the coolant is then sent back into the engine to do it all again. This should keep your engine in the normal operating temperature range, but if your temperature gauge is maxed out, there could be something seriously wrong.

How this system works:

The temperature gauge in your dash is connected to the car’s computer and from there to a temperature sensor on the engine block. The sensor measures the temperature of your car’s coolant (it uses resistance, but the actual resistance values can vary drastically from one automaker to another, and from one model to another).

The information read by the sensor is sent to the car’s computer, which adjusts the temperature gauge and also plays a role in the cooling system. Depending on the temperature level, the radiator fan will cycle on and off. As the temperature of your coolant rises, the needle in your temperature gauge should rise, moving from cold to normal. However, it may move all the way to hot in some cases.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Low Coolant: The first suspected cause of your temperature gauge maxing out is low coolant. If this occurs, your engine can overheat, and serious damage can result, up to and including cracking the block. However, if the engine isn’t actually hot (the temp gauge is maxed out but there’s no abnormal levels of heat from the engine), this isn’t the problem.

  • Broken Temp Gauge: If the temperature gauge is maxed out but the engine isn’t actually hot, then the problem may be a broken temperature gauge. The needle may be stuck in the hot range (this can happen after overheating the engine), or a stepper gear in the gauge may be damaged.

  • Failed Temp Sensor: If the temperature sensor on your engine block has failed, it may not send any information to the system, or it may send an erroneous signal, causing the gauge to rise without any actual overheating. It’s also possible that the sensor is shorting.

  • Failed Thermostat: If your car’s thermostat sticks in the closed position, coolant will not fully cycle through the engine, and it will begin to overheat. Your temperature gauge will rise quickly, particularly if it is very warm outside.

  • Cooling Fan Motor Failure: If the motor for your radiator cooling fan fails, it will not cycle on. This reduces the amount of airflow over the radiator, meaning that much of the heat is retained by the coolant, and it will not be able to absorb more from the engine.

  • Bad Fan Switch: Another reason your radiator fan might not be working is a bad fan switch. This switch controls the cycling of your radiator fan(s), and if it fails, it can cause overheating.

  • Air in System after Coolant Service: If you’ve recently had your engine coolant drained and refilled, it’s possible there’s air in the system. Air bubbles can form and block coolant from cycling through the engine, causing it to overheat.

What to expect:

A professionally trained mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to inspect your car’s temperature gauge and other components. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic will inspect the coolant level of your vehicle, as well as the temperature sensor and other components in order to determine the cause of the gauge maxing out. It may be necessary to test drive the vehicle and verify if the engine is actually overheating, or if the problem lies with the sensor or the gauge.

How important is this service?

If your car is actually overheating, it’s a very serious problem that could quickly lead to engine-killing damage. Even if the problem is just a malfunctioning sensor or gauge, the issue is still serious, as you will have no means of observing the actual temperature of your engine coolant. One of our professional mechanics can inspect and repair your system.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert BMW mechanics

Real customer reviews from BMW owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(6,607)

Rating Summary
6,159
203
60
44
141
6,159
203
60
44
141

Calvin

22 years of experience
22 reviews
Calvin
22 years of experience
BMW M3 L6-3.2L - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Loganville, Georgia
I booked everything online for a PPI. I was not there but received a full report.

Horus

11 years of experience
122 reviews
Horus
11 years of experience
BMW 328i L6-3.0L - Ignition Coil - San Antonio, Texas
Excellent work! My BMW runs like a top!

Jim

33 years of experience
187 reviews
Jim
33 years of experience
BMW 535i L6-3.0L Turbo - Oil Change - Danville, California
Reliable. He is our mechanic!

Jason

32 years of experience
515 reviews
Jason
32 years of experience
BMW X5 L6-3.0L - Exterior Door Handle Replacement (Passenger Side Front) - Santa Clara, California
Jason was prompt and did a quick work on my door lock. Great job overall!

Excellent Rating

(6,607)

Rating Summary
6,159
203
60
44
141
6,159
203
60
44
141
Number of BMW services completed
72677+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT BMW MECHANICS
1100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Mini Countryman
If If you’ve always wanted a Mini Cooper, but couldn’t reason giving up so many practical features, you’re not alone. That’s why, in 2012, BMW added the Countryman to its lineup. As a subcompact crossover SUV, this vehicle should make...
The Most and Least Expensive Cars to Maintain
Luxury cars, such as BMWs, are the most expensive and Toyotas are the most cost efficient. Driving style also affects car maintenance costs.
How to Become a Certified Mobile Vehicle Inspector (State Car Inspector Certified) in Louisiana
Automotive technician jobs include mobile vehicle inspectors. Learn how to do car checks in Louisiana through one of three state approved schools.

How should I rotate my tires and how often should it be done?

Tire rotation is an important part of vehicle maintenance. If you don’t rotate your tires regularly, the drive tires will wear down very quickly (the front two tires on the Civic, since it’s a front-wheel drive car). The rear tires...

car reverse lights blink.

Hi there. Any time that the rear back up lights blink in reverse would be caused by a short in the flasher circuit or a blinker circuit. This will make the back up lights flash when energizing the flasher. The...

I have a 98 ford explorer, when I turn the key in the ignition it turns on but when I put it in drive it jerks & shuts off. Help!!

Hi Rebecca. Thanks for contacting us today in regards to your Ford Explorer. Usually, the type of symptoms you are describing can be caused by a variety of mechanical system issues - ranging from an obstruction of transmission fluid inside...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com