Random Spike in Temperature?
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Teching In
Joined: Aug 2013
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Random Spike in Temperature? So I have a 2001 pontiac firebird formula with 117k. The past 3 days my temperature gauge will randomly shoot up to max temp (210?). When I bought the car with 106k I had a new radiator installed and shortly after, around 108k, i installed a new thermostat. I havent had any problems until just the other day. I wasnt hard on the throttle and typically shift around 1700rpm. My "check gauges" light came on and i watched my temp gauge shoot up. I quickly turned the heater on and it instantly went back down to normal (180-200). I had been drivin for atleast half an hour already and sometimes it doesnt even do it. Any ideas? Just a new gauge? Thanks!
your car has a dummy gauge, you can buy an external temp gauge to see if its actually increasing in temp or if the sensor is acting up. Sounds like its an air bubble as mentioned though. I would bleed the system good, and then check it out again before buying anything.
It could be a lot of things. I'd start by confirming the cold fluid level in your overflow tank AND at your radiator neck. The overflow should be up to the line on the dipstick and the radiator neck should be full to the top. If that's not the case, then you would probably be looking at the issue.
Usually two things cause temps to shoot up FAST and then drop FAST. A stat that sticks closed, then opens quickly, swapping hit coolant for cool coolant pretty fast. Or a Coolant Temp Sensor that's acting up.
Since you got an SES light when this happened.......I'd say its the sensor. Check the code and see if its Temp Sensor code.
Also, next time you see it shoot up pull over immediately, leave the engine running, out your hand on the air intake. If you can keep it there, you're not getting hot. If you cannot keep on there for more than a second or so, it is getting hot. When coolant temps go up to about the 220*F and above point......the intake starts to get too hot to keep your hand on.
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Since you got an SES light when this happened.......I'd say its the sensor. Check the code and see if its Temp Sensor code.
Also, next time you see it shoot up pull over immediately, leave the engine running, out your hand on the air intake. If you can keep it there, you're not getting hot. If you cannot keep on there for more than a second or so, it is getting hot. When coolant temps go up to about the 220*F and above point......the intake starts to get too hot to keep your hand on.
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Last edited by LS6427; Dec 2, 2013 at 02:23 AM.
Radiator intake, right? Personally, I love an excuse to buy a tool. This would be a great occasion for an infrared thermometer.
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Radiator intake, right? Personally, I love an excuse to buy a tool. This would be a great occasion for an infrared thermometer.
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