Kia Optima Temperature gauge is maxed out Inspection at your home or office.

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Temperature gauge is maxed out Inspection Service

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

On average, the cost for a Kia Optima 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
2016 Kia OptimaL4-2.4LService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
2013 Kia OptimaL4-2.4LService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2018 Kia OptimaL4-2.4LService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2019 Kia OptimaL4-2.0L TurboService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
2012 Kia OptimaL4-2.4L HybridService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
2005 Kia OptimaL4-2.4LService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2019 Kia OptimaL4-2.4LService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
2002 Kia OptimaL4-2.4LService typeTemperature gauge is maxed out InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Kia Optima 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.

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Rating Summary
652
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8
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652
14
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Manuel

32 years of experience
579 reviews
Manuel
32 years of experience
Kia Optima L4-2.4L Hybrid - Brake Master Cylinder - Irvine, California
Really nice guy, got the job done.

James

30 years of experience
877 reviews
James
30 years of experience
Kia Optima L4-2.4L - Alternator - Oviedo, Florida
James was on time, friendly, diligent and completed work on schedule.

Andrew

11 years of experience
337 reviews
Andrew
11 years of experience
Kia Optima L4-2.4L - Brake Pads Replacement (Front) - Columbia, Maryland
Andrew arrived promptly, got to work right away, have me an estimate of time required and finished a little earlier than anticipated, did a quick test drive and left me feeling better about this repair experience than any other I have recently had. No surprised, I paid what I expected to pay and was pleased with his comments about future car of my vehicle. A very good experience with a very pleasant young man who did a competent job in a reasonable time period. Thanks for good service. I will recommend this business and this mechanic to others.

Jay

37 years of experience
948 reviews
Jay
37 years of experience
Kia Optima L4-2.4L - Thermostat - Riverside, California

Excellent Rating

(691)

Rating Summary
652
14
8
2
15
652
14
8
2
15
Number of Kia Optima services completed
7601+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Kia MECHANICS
1000+
experts on our platform

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