Honda HRV Hybrid Overheating: Fix That Failing Thermostat

I had a similar issue with my 2018 Honda CR-V Hybrid. Initially thought it was just a thermostat problem, but when I took it to the garage, they found rodent damage to the wiring harness near the cooling system sensors. The mice had chewed through several important wires that controlled the cooling fan and temperature readings. Had to get the entire section of the wiring harness replaced as the damage was pretty extensive. The mechanic showed me how the faulty signals from the damaged wires were causing the engine management system to misread temperatures, leading to overheating issues. This was definitely a serious problem that needed immediate attention, not something you want to leave unaddressed. The repair took about two days to complete. Since then, I've had zero issues with overheating and the check engine light hasn't come back on. Based on your symptoms, I'd recommend getting it checked soon. Could be the thermostat, but worth having them inspect the wiring too, especially with that mileage.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Sorry to hear about those pesky mice causing havoc with your CR-V. I've got my HRV booked in next week to check it out, your story about the wiring definitely makes me want to have them take a good look at that too, not just the thermostat. Hey, just curious, do you remember roughly how much the wiring harness repair set you back? And has everything been running smoothly since the fix? Would love to know what I might be in for cost-wise!

Hey there! Happy to give you an update about my CR-V repair costs. Just checked my records, the damage to the wiring harness set me back 170€, which honestly wasn't as bad as I initially feared. And I've got some good news, the mechanic did spot that the coolant thermostat was acting up too, but theyaged to fix that issue while they were in there dealing with the wiring. I'm really glad you're getting yours checked out next week! Since the repair, my CR-V's been running like a dream, no more overheating issues, and that pesky check engine light has stayed off. The cooling system's working exactly as it should now. Quick tip: after my experience, I started using some rodent deterrent sprays around the engine bay every few months. Might be worth considering, those little critters can cause some expensive headaches! Let us know how your appointment goes next week. Always curious to hear if it turns out to be something similar!

Thanks for all that detailed info! Just got back from the mechanic and thought I'd update you. Turns out it wasn't rodents in my case (thank goodness!), but you wouldn't believe what they found. The radiator cap wasn't sealing properly, and there was a small crack in one of the cooling system hoses. The whole repair, including parts and labor, came to about 200. Much better than I was expecting! They replaced both the cap and the hose, topped up the coolant, and ran some tests to make sure everything was working properly. The mechanic was really thorough and showed me exactly what was wrong. Took it for a test drive afterward, and the temperature gauge is staying exactly where it should be, no more overheating! Check engine light's gone too. Such a relief to have this sorted. I think I've found my new regular mechanic, they were super transparent about everything and the price was fair. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me know what questions to ask when I took it in!