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P0217: Engine overtemperature condition
Stop and checkSystem: Cooling
What P0217 means
The engine is running hotter than it should. Overheating can quickly damage the engine.
Common symptoms
- Engine running hot or overheating
- Loss of power
- Cooling fan always on or never on
Common causes
- Low coolant or air in the cooling system
- Clogged radiator or failing water pump
- Faulty cooling fan, relay or fan motor
- Thermostat stuck open
Can I keep driving?
Stop and check. Avoid driving until it is checked. Driving with this problem can cause serious and expensive damage.
What to do next
- Write down the code and any symptoms you notice.
- Check the simple things first: the fuel cap, loose connectors and fluid levels where they apply.
- Do not just clear the code. If the light comes back, the cause is still there and needs a proper diagnosis.
- Read live data and freeze frame data with an OBD-II scanner app to see what the car was doing when the code was set.
Read P0217 from your own car
DriveHub connects to a $15 to $30 OBD-II adapter, reads the code from your car and explains it in plain English. iPhone and Android.
General information, not a diagnosis. Causes vary by make, model and engine. If you are unsure, have the car inspected.