macross233

My temperature gauge on the dashboard drops to nearly the second hash mark from the end of the meter, while driving 25-30+ mph. At idle, it goes just above the middle line.

My Tc is 05, everything stock, except for the Mobil 1 oil, air filter, and recent tire replacement. The needle didn't act like this in the past, just started doing this recently.

Anyone else had this problem and have a solution? I plan on going to a parts store and have a sensor diagnosis.

Zebman

Definitely cooling system related. You may have a clog somewhere, or a problem with the pump.

Jiggaman

iTrader: (1)

have you checked your coolant levels?

(dumb question, i know, but you gotta start somewhere)

macross233

I check coolant levels when I change my oil. Last weekend, the coolant level was fine. Nothing noticeable anyway. The level was right in between the Low and the Full, where the reservoir widens above the Low mark.

It's been 3.5 years and the car's been good to me until a few weeks ago when the temp needle's been acting funny.

I know I've found another similar post, but no solution or cause was found. So, I made this new one.

macross233

Update:
The Check Engine light went off today and I headed straight to the dealership service center. The thermostat was getting stuck so it got replaced. Luckily, it was still under warranty, so nothing was paid.

Zebman

That makes no sense to me. If the thermostat was stuck, the temperature wouldn't variate; if it was stuck open, the car would take a large amount of time to warm up, if stuck close, it would overheat, and not cool off.

But if it remedied your situation, that's all that matters huh?

macross233

Exactly, it was probably stuck open. I suspected it would've been the thermostat because the needle was dropping even more in the last few weeks.

It was cooling off too much when driving and warmed up slowly back to normal when stopped, so it does make some sense if the cooling block was flooded with coolant and the incoming draft would affect it more.

sciontc_mich

glad you were able to see it happening before the computer caught the problem and turned on the check engine light.

This is EXACTLY why I won't get a car without a coolant gauge! Lots of cars are now showing up without coolant gauges! no thanks.

glad you got it fixed!

macross233

My check engine light turned on. This was almost a year of getting worse. I didn't worry about it before because the symptom wasn't nearly as severe, but the check engine light forced me to address this ASAP and I'm glad I was still under warranty for that part.

sciontc_mich

oh so it took a year of it getting bad before the check engine light came on.. wow. so the thermostat was going bad for that long. yeah i'm glad you were under warranty too!

I'll have to keep an eye on my coolant temp more closely. I haven't seen anything happen, but it's hard to see small changes while you're driving. Sounds like yours was a large change.

macross233

It started off small. Like, last year, it dropped towards the notch it's usually above. Then last month, it dropped noticeably more. So, a month ago was the most noticeable drop. Then the check engine light went off. Averaged out, it was gradual, but really it was 1 slight drop and a more recent more sudden drop.

Keep an eye on that needle, guys and don't wait a year like I did

sciontc_mich

thanks macross- i'll definitely keep an eye on it.

when did it happen? all the time or only when it was a cold engine?