A/C off due to high engine temperature warning, now car will not start

Tiny
RUFFRIDERSHINER
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
So the past couple of days, my car has been saying "AC Off Due to High Engine Temp". I continued to drive the car a couple of days. I'm thinking it's the temperature sensors for this issue. No other check engine lights have ever been on. But then I go to start my car this morning and it cranks and won't start. After trying to start it, there is a clicking sound coming from under the hood for about 30 seconds somewhere. I can't tell where it's coming from exactly. It looks like there is a check engine light on now, but car is stuck in the garage at home so can't drive anywhere to check the code. The car is a push start.
Friday, January 24th, 2020 AT 5:54 AM

22 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning,

It is normal for the AC to be disabled when the coolant sensor sends a high-temperature signal to the ECM. It does that to lower the load on the motor.

Driving like this, you may have damaged the engine as it may be overheating. There is no code for this at all since it is a mechanical issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

I attached a check sheet for the overheating tests.

Can you upload a video of it cranking so I can hear what you hear?

Roy
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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I should have been more clear on the AC warning. I live in Minnesota. It's freezing right now and have not run my AC since last August. The warning came on the first time as soon as the car was started. Later that day, there was no warning when started. Then the next day, the warning was on again. I have not run my AC. My heat was blowing warm, not hot like it usually does. I will get a video up soon!
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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Also, the temperature gauge stays at cold and does not budge.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
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This is so weird. It just started. But there's still that AC warning light. Mind you it sat in my garage over night and wouldn't start but cranked over. Now it started. There is a bit of a sweet smell coming from the engine right now as it runs. Check out the video. I still have it running to make sure my battery recharges after the several attempts of turning it over earlier this morning in case it doesn't start again. Temperatures in Minnesota have not been over 30 degrees these past couple of days. There is coolant in the reservoir. I think my car doesn't want to be sold as I've been car shopping the past couple of days, lol.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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Fan still running after car shut off which has been the case the past couple of days. I let it run for about 10 minutes. Going to wait a little while and try to restart again.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Okay, if you use your defroster, the AC is running. That is one time it runs no matter what the temperature is outside.

As far as the gauge, you could have a bad sensor which I posted before with the location and procedure. That is what controls the gauge.

You may also need a thermostat as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Roy
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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The car couldn't possibly overheat from a cold start though right of the bat though correct? Because the first time we seen that AC warning was off a cold start.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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Why did you clear the code? What was the code? Clearing does absolutely nothing and could lead in the direction of the failure.

Roy
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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It may not be overheating but since the coolant temperature gauge is not working, that may the reason for the indication and the fan coming on.

I need that code.

Roy
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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There's no code, I meant the AC Off Due to High Engine Temp message.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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I'm going to see if I can drive it up to O'Reilly's and get a code.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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You said the check engine light was on?

Let me know.

Roy
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
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Or AutoZone.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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The check engine light came on for the first time this morning. Was never on the past couple of days.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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Is it still on?

If you cleared it, that is a problem.

Roy
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
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Yes the check engine light still appears now. I just cleared the AC warning message and that was all.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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Okay, good.

Let me know the code.

Roy
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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Second start after letting it sit for a little bit. Shaky start this time but it started.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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Codes are P111E (temperature sensor) and P0119. The latter of the two codes he said was probably coming up because of the faulty temperature sensor. Could that be causing all the problems?
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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Good.

Keep me updated.

Roy
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 2:45 PM

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