Longshot LCMS

iTrader: (1)

So I was on my way back from the exhaust shop after having some leaks fixed on my car and was very pleased with how much better it was running. Apparently the leak was really messing with the O2s... anyway...

I turn on the AC and the car is running great... then all of the sudden the car almost makes a quick sputter. I saw the check gauges light come on and my temp gauge went from the normal 205~ and shot up instantly to about 250~ for a split second and then went back down to 205... Kept going, same thing again a minute later... then it went away after a split second, and again did the same thing a minute later. Now when I pulled into my driveway and shut the car off, the fans are still running which is an indication it got pretty hot, but I can't figure out why or if they just came on because that got that fast temporary reading.

Can anyone offer any insight?

conor.davis

iTrader: (20)

since its a 99-02 it will read a constant 210 for a actual temp of 180-226, maybe it was right at that 226 and just jumping back and fourth??
How does the coolant temp sensor look on the driver head by the header?

smg267

iTrader: (23)

Quick and cheap fix! Mine did the same exact thing the thermostat was getting stuck. I was driving and the temp gauge would go from 1/2 to 3/4. The fans were running when I turned the car off as well. Pick one up for $30 from any parts store. Do not drive your car like this!!!!

Bizzles

iTrader: (3)

+1 for checking your coolant temp sensor.

grab a hyperstat 160 degree thermostat if your going to buy one.

Longshot LCMS

iTrader: (1)

I'm gonna try this and see what happens. Assuming I need a gaket too?

conor.davis

iTrader: (20)

Yeah, It will come with one.

smg267

iTrader: (23)

37960 is part # for 160 thermostat from O'reilly Auto Parts. Only $29.99!

Longshot LCMS

iTrader: (1)

I don't have an O'reilly locally so I couldn't get the low temp stat... stock will work for now.

smg267

iTrader: (23)

let us know if that fixes the problem!

Longshot LCMS

iTrader: (1)

So far, no dice... I installed a new t-stat and a new sender... still having a problem. It's pretty irritating. Right now I have the car completely cooling down so I can start it cold to see what happens.

Longshot LCMS

iTrader: (1)

Well I've determined it to be a false reading, that much I know... there's no way the temperature can fluctuate between 200 and 260 in a matter of seconds. It now does it very sparatically. I took the car out and drove it quite a bit last night, pretty much daring it to overheat and blow and it's running flawlessly, just having this strange issue with the temp gauge.

Anyone else have any suggestions on how to track this down? If I can't figure it out I'm just going to install an aftermarket gauge and leave the factory dummy gauge dead.

smg267

iTrader: (23)

if you have access to a scan tool. You can watch the monitors while you are driving to insure your car is not overheating. my car reads 210 on the cluster and it will be 226 on the scan tool. Worse case scenario get a new cluster. I would def want a functioning temp gauge in my car!

A couple threads ago some one was talking about tapping the radiator line for a gauge.

fastassls1maro

iTrader: (22)

my car used to do this when i first go it, anytime i would sit the temp gauge would go into the red however it was not actually overheating. It was just hot air pockets in the system causing the gauge to show hot, this was all due to a coolant leak. The coolant leak was a small hose running along the intake manifold. I would do a coolant pressure test and see if you have any leaks.