HRV Coolant Loss & Overheating: Warning Signs Explained

I have a 2006 Honda CR-V and faced similar issues last month. Turned out my wiring harness to the coolant temperature sensor was corroded and giving false readings. The sensor itself was also damaged from the corrosion. The symptoms were identical, engine running hot and mysterious coolant loss. Initially, mechanics kept focusing on the radiator, but when they checked the electrical connections, they found the real culprit. It was a serious issue since incorrect temperature readings can lead to engine damage. The repair involved replacing the entire wiring harness section and the sensor. I know many HRV owners from the forums who've dealt with this exact problem around the 250-300k km mark. Would suggest getting the electrical connections checked, especially around the temperature sensor area. Better to catch it early than risk engine damage. Worth mentioning, while they were in there, they found the thermostat was also starting to stick. Got that replaced too since they already had everything apart.

thanks for sharing that! The wiring harness/sensor issue sounds exactly like what I might be dealing with. Great heads up about the thermostat too, seems like these things tend to come in pairs. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole fix? And has everything been running smooth since the repair, or have you noticed anything else pop up? Would help me get an idea of what I'm potentially looking at here.

Hey there! Just wanted to follow up on your question. The repair job set me back 155€ for replacing the corroded wiring harness and sensor, but honestly, it was worth every penny. My CR-V has been running like a dream since then, no more overheating issues or coolant problems at all! The best part is that they also sorted out that radiator shutter limitation I mentioned before. You know how these things can sometimes mask each other? Well, getting both fixed really made a difference. The engine's running at perfect temperature now, and I haven't had to top up the coolant once since the repair. I actually check my temperature gauge out of habit now and still can't believe how stable it stays. Seriously, if your symptoms are anything like what I had, definitely get those electrical connections checked out. It's way cheaper than dealing with engine damage down the line. Let me know if you need any other details about the repair, happy to help!

Thanks so much for the detailed info! I actually took your advice and got it checked out by a different mechanic yesterday. You were spot on, it was mainly an electrical issue, though my repair was a bit pricier at about 300 since they found some additional wear and tear. The whole experience was way better this time. The mechanic actually showed me the corroded parts and explained everything. They replaced the wiring harness, sensor, and threw in a new thermostat since it was showing signs of wear. Took them about three hours total, but the car's running beautifully now. Funny how something relatively simple like corroded wiring can cause such a headache! The temperature gauge is steady now, and no more mysterious coolant disappearing acts. Really appreciate you pointing me in the right direction, saved me from what could've been some serious engine trouble down the road. Thanks again for the solid advice!