The water temp gauge on my 2004 MINI (basic) pegs to the hot end immediately on start up and cooling fan comes on full force and stays on several minutes after shutting down. It is not hot since it has been sitting overnight. The red warning light also comes on and stays on. This is a new issue. Where do I start?
Thanks, Merle

 

Faulty temperature sender?
Check fluid levels

That's where I would start. Car is reading hot and telling fan to come on.

 

Bet if you open the hood....
It might be very low on fluid....
A car with a leak can get very hot, very fast.
We always hope folks have checked the basics before posting....but you don't say anything about what has been done....

 

Thank you for your ideas. I am a newby so please feel free to direct my posts.
I have checked fluid levels and find everything OK. As mentioned in original post the temp gauge pegs immediately on starting. Before I posted I purchased an OTC repair manual and made an assumption it could be the sending unit. I live in the woods with many critters including hungry field mice who have wrecked havoc on the wiring of my other vehicles. I was trying to look and see if this was the case with this. If the wiring were broken (or chewed) off at the TSU would it act this same way? Looking at my new manual and looking for the TSU has not reaped a result. Is it easier to find and see from underneath?
Again thanks for the responses.

 

One thought....
Have you turned the key to "on" but not started it...and looked at the guage?

 

when key is off the gauge needle is on the low side and hardly visible. turn the key on but NOT starting engine the needle goes to the 1st mark on the low side I hear a humming noise then it pegs to the hot end and humming noise stop. All this in second or 2.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp-sensor.html

There is an image of where the temp sensor is - -check the wiring going to that thing and/or replace the sensor all together.

 

Excellent diagram and photos, thank you.
I am still unable to see the temp sensor and my Haynes manual says I need to take the battery and tray out. Is that true or can it be seen from underneath the MINI?
I would sure like to see the sensor and wiring before taking everything apart just to see if the aforementioned mice have done me wrong.
Thanks again for everyone's responce

 

One way to find out :-) -- but i doubt it, that side of the car is going to be blocked by the transmission. Welcome to the world of MINI.