Check Engine Temperature warning

ave vehicle scanned for trouble code --test for overheating --your vehicle is going into limp/shut down mode to save itself

Hi Jonna.
not sure if this will help you out,but its what i have found on the internet.

Your car's "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" light can flash on for more than 1,400 different reasons, and in the coming months, we're going to share with you what some of those reasons are. The light is part of your vehicle's on-board diagnostics (OBD) system and can indicate anything from a quick fix like a loose gas cap to a major repair like a catalytic converter.
Trouble code: P0217 Engine Over Temperature
If this code is discovered, it means the engine coolant temperature is excessively high under normal engine speed. The engine coolant is overheating if it's around 240 to 250 degrees. This is a critical light! It means your engine is beginning to overheat.
In addition to the check engine light, you might also see some other type of warning on the dashboard, such as a red temperature gauge or maybe the words "engine hot."
The warning lights should come on before any damage to your engine occurs, but you need to shut the engine off as soon as possible.
or check this link out.

Does the engine light come on if the car is overheating Google Search

What diognostics say its a sensor ?????? No diagnostic's ever tell's you it's a sensor . You as a technician would need to prove that by testing electrical circuits , viewing coolant temp sensor . Hooking scan tool and trying to command the gauge with by directional control . The temp gauge not showing any temp. ? No movement ? Engine Coolant Temperature Gage Inaccurate or InoperativeStep Action
Yes
No
Schematic Reference: Instrument Cluster Schematics
1
Did you perform the Instrument Cluster Diagnostic System Check?
Go to Step 2
Go to Diagnostic System Check - Instrument Cluster
2
Install a scan tool.
Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF.
With the scan tool, perform the Lamp and Gauge Check in the IPC Special Functions list.
Does the engine coolant temperature gage move up and down when commanded?
Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems
Go to Step 3
3
Replace the IPC. Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement .
Did you complete the replacement?
Go to Step 4
--
4
Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you correct the condition?
System OK
Go to Step 2
Would hate for you to replace the coolant temp sensor an find out that's not the problem ! Does the vehicle start an run good ,trans mission shift good ? If so it's not the coolant temp sensor .
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
The ECM sends coolant temperature as determined by the coolant temperature sensor to the BCM via CAN serial data. The IPC displays the engine coolant temperature with the gage when the BCM sends a class 2 message to the IPC indicating coolant temperature percentage. The engine coolant temperature gage defaults to cold (0°) or below if:
• The ECM detects a malfunction in the engine coolant temperature sensor circuit.
• The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the BCM.
• The BCM detects a loss of CAN communications with the ECM.

Hi Ivette,

Temp sensor/sender units, ussually send a variable earth resistance dependent on temperature, so it sounds like the wiring is broken/rubbed through, causing the sporadic changes due to full earth going to gauge(hot). brocken wire(cold)

But could be a faulty sender just the same, doesnt sound like a thermostat after driving the gauge would still move in relation to engine temp, would start by checking the wiring to temp sensor, also check coolant level and monitor engine temp while driving if gauge is in-op.

Hope this helps.

Bulb is possibly out behind the instrument cluster for the check engine light. As far as the temperature guage not working it sounds like your temperature sending unit is not working if it doesn't move at all. If your thermostat is stuck open it would come up some. If not your temperature sending unit is bad.

use a termo laser to check temp of coolant at filler cap ,with cap off run vehicle till you have hot heat coming out of your heater then check with laser. if it reads above 140 then you know 2 things . either the therm sensor is going bad or the temp gauge is bad , make sure the radiator fans come on ,if they do and you have good heat then you have bad gauge.

Check out related help links with solutions to troubleshoot the problem:---
Click the link below:---
2004 Toyota Tundra: Oil Gauge and Temp Gauge Not Working?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2004-toyota-tundra-oil-gauge-and-temp.html

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Toyota 4Runner: Temperature Gauge Sensor http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/toyota-4runner-temperature-gauge-sensor.html

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Temperature gauge sits over half way mark? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/temperature-gauge-sits-over-half-way.html
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Heater blows intermittently and temp gauge goes erratic?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/heater-blows-intermittently-and-temp.html
------------- No heat on Oldsmobile Silhouette? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/no-heat-on-oldsmobile-silhouette.html
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Temperature gauge does not move and no heat when heater is ON? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-does-not-move-and-no.html
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Temperature gauge keeps fluctuating up and down close to red? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-keeps-fluctuating-up.html
----------- Temperature gauge on the dash quit working on Pontiac Grand Prix? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/temperature-gauge-on-dash-quit-working.html
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Dodge neon gauges not working? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/dodge-neon-gauges-not-working.html

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Heater blows cold? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/heater-blows-cold.html

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Heat blows cold on drivers side and hot on passenger side? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/heat-blows-cold-on-drivers-side-and-hot.html

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1992 Lexus LS400: Engine overheats, Antifreeze out of reservoir and heater Blows Cold Air? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1992-lexus-ls400-engine-overheats.html

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These details will help.
Thanks.

Watch the temp gauge when the electric radiator fans come on. The temp sensor that controls when the fan comes on may be faulty.

Mine did it too.... The problem is the Engine Power Relay.

The Engine Power Relay is in the relay box in the engine compartment. Aftermarket relay is cheap, but the original Ssangyong part will last many years longer.

Hope this helps.

try replacing your temperature sending switch. That it what tells your gauge or idiot light where to read or light to come on. It may have a short in it. Or a short between the two.