"Engine coolant temperature too high"

[chrisrob]

Often, within the first few minutes of driving from cold, my car beps at me to give me the above information and the temperature gauge shoots up but drops down immediately and the warning message disappears. It's OK once the engine has warmed up.
Any ideas or suggestions?
It's a Peugeot 307SW diesel and has just been fully serviced plus new cam belt (costing me over �500!).

[Hymie]

From what you say it is almost certainly caused by an intermittent electrical contact � possibly in the temperature sensor leads, or on a circuit board.

The good news is that you engine temperature cannot suddenly increase at such a rate (so it is not due to an excessive engine temperature), the bad news is that it might be quite difficult to fix.

Try having a close look at the engine temperature sensor electrical connections and give them a gentle wiggle to see if they are loose.

[gary2411]

if theres no loss of water from the rad its most liklely
electrical