Car overheating

[april1693]

A few days ago, nearing the end of a 30 mile journey, the temperature warning light and sound came on in my car and I noted that the gauge was reading 130 degrees. I was less than a mile from home and after reaching my destination and letting the enigne cool, I noted the coolant was low (but not dangerously) and topped it up. I took it to the local mechanic you checked the coolant chamber for leaks and also checked the fan, but found nothing wrong. However driving it yesterday on a short (10 miles) journey, the temperature began to increase again and as I reached my destination I noted it was almost up a the 130 mark again (the coolant level has not changed). Does anyone have any ideas what the problem could be? I will take it back to the mechanic tomorrow, but would just like an idea of what might be causing the temperature to rise. Thanks in advance.

[april1693]

Forgot to say it's a Ford Galaxy and also if I put the heating up full in the car it seems to stop the temperature gauge rising.

[ChuckFickens]

Sounds like it's either the radiator blocked or the thermostat has had it.

[april1693]

Thanks Chuck, I thought it was possibly a thermostat issue - off to the mechanic tomorrow!

[wilkesneil]

i had this problem on an old golf gti, what i did was started the car on the drive to see if the fan kicked in and it didn't. when it didn't kick in i switched engine off and let it cool down, then i changed the thermoswitch and it worked. the thermoswitch is at the bottom of the radiator and has 2 or 3 wires going to it. they aren't expensive so worth trying due to only being under £10.