So today as I was driving 2.5 hours home from school my temperature gauge which is always normal and halfway up shot up all the way to the red, the highest it can go.

So I did the smart thing pulled the car over and the engine remained hot, so sadly had to use AAA to get it to my house, because I am not risking cracking the head.

What do you guys think the problem could be? Water pump? There is water in radiator already so fluid is ok, just worried I never had a problem with my temp gauge.

 

Oh come on guys I know people have answers.

 

Since the coolant level is OK, the next thing to consider is a bad thermostat. In a case of sudden overheating on the highway like this-- just replace it.

Water pumps very very seldom go bad in a way that they don't pump. It basically never happens unless there is severe corrosion from using plain water in the system instead of coolant.

 

Here is a very quick guide I threw together for work. Maybe it will help you with diagnosing your overheating issue?

http://www.mishimoto.com/how-to-guid...ing-guide.html

 

Ok so I found out that the fan is ok and it runs, and the water pump is fine as well, I went to autozone and bought a new thermostat switch and port in case they went bad and the signal is bad.