2002 Volvo S60-2.4L Was driving along yesterday when I noticed the temp gauge on Max. and the "Engine Temp. High Stop Safely" I stopped the car immediatly, got out and popped the hood. The engine did not feel warm at all, I had started it about 5 minutes before this after it sat for over an hour...in cold weather. The coolant is full, the hose looks fine.
After waiting about 2 hours and periodically checking the temp, it still remained at Max. I finished the two minute drive home, stopped the car, and after several hours of it sitting, the temp goes right to max. upon starting. Please help me out! The coolant and engine itself are freezing cold out there. What's going on?
I would apprecaite any suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
Not sure this is relevant but I think I should mention....the other day I noticed after a couple hours of driving that the temperature was unnaturally low...like only a few notches up. My temp always sits just a fraction below the middle line so I found this really odd. The car temp has never went past the middle line, until now.

 

sounds like your having an issue with your thermostat, if it started out as you say unnaturally low the thermostat is in the open position, now that your gauge is at the max position it sounds like the thermostat is stuck closed....I would look at replacing your thermostat and that should take care of your problem if not repost and we will see if we can figure it out

 

Thanks for your help.
Took the car in, they ran a voltage check on the sensor and it read 0.2. I guess that is low. Replaced the sensor.
I got the car back and frove it for about 2 hours yesterday, just running around town. It was 5 below 0 outside but the temperature gauge never went above the second line. I know my car, and this isn't normal, even in cold temperatures. I turned off the heat and it went up a fraction, but never got to the middle line where my car normally sits. Also, I don't seem to be getting a normal amount of heat...usually that thing blasts the heat on high.
I specifically asked them to check the stat. They said it was fine. But I'm not so sure....
Any more ideas??
What would cause an engine to run unnaturally cool besides the thermostat? I'm not sure they gave it a good look but is there anything else I should be looking for?
Thanks in advance.

 

where did you take the car??? I am not sure how they can say your thermostat is fine unless it operated normal.....which is possible, however with that having been said I will say that I believe it is your thermostat...do yourself a favor spend the $25-$30 to replace it and see if that corrects your problem, I am not aware of anything else that would cause your car to have the symptoms of a thermostat going bad!