The most common cause of faulty temperature readings is
a broken coolant temperature sensor (CTS)
. The part, which is normally located near a vehicle's thermostat near the base of the radiator (consult your owner's manual or repair guide) can get gunked up and fail. … Disconnect the temperature sensor's wiring connector.
Why is my temperature gauge not moving?
You can have broken wires leading from the gauge itself to the sensor or wires from the sensor to the engine control unit. It's potential that
any wire along the path could have come loose, corroded
, or been somehow broken that would cause your temperature gauge to stop working.
Why is my temperature gauge stuck on cold?
Reasons the Temperature Gauge Reads Cold
Another reason the temperature gauge could read cold is
if the thermostat in the vehicle stays open
. With the thermostat stuck open, the engine can be overcooled, causing a low temperature reading. If this is the case, the thermostat may need to be replaced.
Is there a fuse for the temperature gauge?
There will be a fused wire with voltage to the instrument cluster
(your owners manual should indicate which fuse), but the temperature sensor is providing a variable “resistance to ground,” which the temperature gauge in the dash is reflecting.
How do I know if my temperature gauge is bad?
- Temperature gauge reading very high and engine overheating. …
- Temperature changing erratically. …
- Coolant leaks around the thermostat housing or under the vehicle.
How do I fix my temp gauge not working?
Drain the radiator, according to instruction sin your car's repair manual.
Disconnect the temperature sensor's wiring connector
. Remove the temperature sensor. Install the new temperature sensor.
How much does it cost to fix a temperature gauge?
The average cost for an engine temperature sensor replacement is
between $150 and $193
. Labor costs are between $82 and $105 and parts are between $66 and $88. Taxes and fees are not included in the estimate.
Is it OK to run an engine without a thermostat?
You may think your engine would overheat without a thermostat in place, but actually, the opposite is true. A car
without a thermostat would never even warm to operating temperature
, much less overheat. … This will allow your engine to reach optimal operating temperature, improving gas mileage and performance.
How do I know if my thermostat is stuck open?
A thermostat stuck in the open position
constantly pushes coolant into the engine and causes a lower operating temperature
. Your temperature gauge will show a needle that barely increases or remains at the lowest setting.
How much does it cost to replace a thermostat in a car?
The cost of getting a thermostat replaced in a car is
about $200 to $300 on average
. Of course, this will also greatly depend on the make, model, and year of the vehicle that you're driving.
How do I know if my temperature sensor is working?
- Poor Fuel Economy. …
- Irregular Temperature Readings. …
- Black Smoke from Your Exhaust. …
- Your Engine is Overheating. …
- Your Check Engine Light is On.
Can a bad coolant temperature sensor cause car not to start?
The sensor will not cause a no start
. It could cause a hard start and a rich or lean condition only.
Why is my car overheating but it has coolant in it?
In general, it's because
something's wrong within the cooling system and heat isn't able to escape the engine compartment
. The source of the issue could include a cooling system leak, faulty radiator fan, broken water pump, or clogged coolant hose.
Can you drive with a bad thermostat?
If it is
failed in a closed position then you cannot really drive it with the thermostat broken
, as the engine would overheat. This however will not generally have any impact on the ability to drive the car, at least if you let it warm up before you start driving.
Will a bad thermostat throw a code?
The most noticeable issues occur when the thermostat gets stuck in either the open or closed position. A
malfunction can result
in a trouble code, generated by the engine's computer, which can turn on your check engine light.
