janathunder4

Sonic overheating air flap fault

I'm having an issue with my 2018 Chevrolet Sonic diesel. The check engine light keeps popping on, and the engine seems to be overheating, especially in traffic. I scanned it and it's showing an active air flap fault. I'm guessing it's the electromechanism that's gone bad, as these flaps can cause thermal management problems when they stick. Has anyone else run into this? I've only got 44769 km on the clock!

A 2018 Chevrolet Sonic diesel is experiencing overheating and a check engine light, with a diagnostic scan indicating an active air flap fault. The issue is suspected to be a malfunctioning electromechanism controlling the air flap, which can affect thermal management. A similar problem in another vehicle was resolved by replacing the entire assembly, suggesting that professional inspection and repair are advisable to prevent further overheating issues.

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4 comment(s)

That sounds familiar! I had a similar issue with my old 2016 Opel Astra, although it was a petrol engine. The check engine light and overheating were definitely the main symptoms. I got a fault code related to the active grille shutter – basically the same thing as your air flap. Is your car taking longer than usual to warm up, or is the temperature gauge fluctuating a lot?

Thanks for the quick reply! It does seem to take a little longer to warm up in the mornings now that you mention it. The temperature gauge seems pretty stable though, just higher than normal when it overheats. Was the electromechanism the issue in your Astra, and was it a pain to fix?

Yep, it was indeed the electromechanism controlling the grille shutter. After a bit of research, I ended up taking it to a workshop. The repair involved replacing the entire assembly. Given that your Sonic is showing similar symptoms and the fault code points to the air flap, it's probably best to get it checked out professionally. Better safe than sorry with overheating!

Thanks a bunch for the insight! I appreciate you sharing your experience with the Astra. I'll book it in with a reputable mechanic to get the active air flap looked at. They quoted around 590€ for the repair. Hopefully, that solves the problem!

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CHEVROLET

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SONIC