Thermostat codes

In my 02 330I SES light came on. Checked code with Peake tool and got stuck Thermostat code. I check coolant temp on hidden dash display and its 86. Is that normal temp?
Car runs normal. Fuel economy is same. Temp gauge is at center.

See what the temp gauge reads when driving on a highway for 10-15 mins. I think it might show a little low...but watch it...if it starts going high, back off, get off and get the therm changed.

Running just a tad cooler is the most common sign of stuck open therm. Not a critical issue, but a serious one as the car isn't running at its most efficient temp and your mpgs will suffer, among other things.

Originally Posted by dmax

See what the temp gauge reads when driving on a highway for 10-15 mins. I think it might show a little low...but watch it...if it starts going high, back off, get off and get the therm changed.

Running just a tad cooler is the most common sign of stuck open therm. Not a critical issue, but a serious one as the car isn't running at its most efficient temp and your mpgs will suffer, among other things.

My temp gauge is at center on highway too.
BTW how many miles on your car now? I know you had over 200k. wish I could make it over 200k on my car.

I just passed the moon...240K miles.

If your therm is an aftermarket/aluminum housing type (non-wahler, which is OE) then it's suspect.

I'd be more likely to trust the code is telling you something...but get it cleared and see if it returns. Don't ignore it, though.

Maybe it thinks that from a temp sensor down stream of therm...IDK for sure...but I do know that you should take care of cooling system issues pretty soon.

Originally Posted by dmax

I just passed the moon...240K miles.

If your therm is an aftermarket/aluminum housing type (non-wahler, which is OE) then it's suspect.

I'd be more likely to trust the code is telling you something...but get it cleared and see if it returns. Don't ignore it, though.

Maybe it thinks that from a temp sensor down stream of therm...IDK for sure...but I do know that you should take care of cooling system issues pretty soon.

Therm is stock never replace and car got 85k.
I cleared code and got same code.

So, going back to your original post...86 is a little on the cool side of normal operating temp. I'm usually between 89-96 and mostly around 91-93.

So, I don't think you're far off...and maybe you wouldn't even notice, but your temp gauge might drop even a mm left of center.

I'd monitor it and the temp from cluster test to try to get a sense of things...doesn't sound critical...but warrants close monitoring anyway.

You've checked coolant level, I assume. Also, have you flushed the coolant in the last 3-4 years?

Originally Posted by dmax

So, going back to your original post...86 is a little on the cool side of normal operating temp. I'm usually between 89-96 and mostly around 91-93.

So, I don't think you're far off...and maybe you wouldn't even notice, but your temp gauge might drop even a mm left of center.

I'd monitor it and the temp from cluster test to try to get a sense of things...doesn't sound critical...but warrants close monitoring anyway.

You've checked coolant level, I assume. Also, have you flushed the coolant in the last 3-4 years?

My coolant level was little bit low first time I got code. Added coolant reset code and came up again but coolant level is normal (mean did not loos any coolant after added)
I have to flush coolant its been a while. Do you recommend any coolant other them OE (non BMW)?

I think I may have a stuck thermostat, though I don't have a code. Here is me sitting in a drive through at 38 degrees air temperature:



It doesn't do this when it's warm outside, so that's why I didn't know about it until recently.

Originally Posted by jaydeep

My coolant level was little bit low first time I got code. Added coolant reset code and came up again but coolant level is normal (mean did not loos any coolant after added)
I have to flush coolant its been a while. Do you recommend any coolant other them OE (non BMW)?

I'd say OE mixed with distilled...but first I'd say drain it, fill with just water, drive around a bit, let it cool down, and drain that...if it's dirty, rinse again...then do the final fill with new crush washer on engine block drain.

When you added coolant, did you have the heater turned on with the car off? If not, search my 'alternative bleeding' method posted around here.