temp gauge issue - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ecl · 04-06-2011, 08:57 PM

So today is the forts day I actually got to drive the camry and check it out. Only thing that has me worried is that the temp went all the way to hot. I got to work with no issues and topped off the coolant and after work it was bouncing all around, was hot for a long time then went down half way then cold then all the up again. Could this just be a thermastate issue that if I replace could fix that or is something more in the gauge cluster its self? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

white90dx · 04-07-2011, 12:53 PM

How fast was the needle bouncing around? A few seconds (or less) up and down, or 30 seconds+?

It very well could be just a sender issue that could be causing the problem, maybe engine grounds (the sender for the gauge cluster is a single wire and relies on the engine/chassis grounds for reference).

Also, you really shouldn't be driving if the temp gauge goes up to the H. Get off the road and stop ASAP - you may have already ruined your engine.

-Charlie

'88 All-Trac · 04-07-2011, 03:25 PM

I replaced the cluster in our 91, it does the same thing. Engine isn't overheating. The needle doesn't slowly climb, right? Just goes "wham!" and is deep in the red? I think a plug somewhere is loose, as rocking the engine back and forth with the throttle will fix the issue.

ecl · 04-07-2011, 06:25 PM

Yeah it just all of a sudden its in the red so does sound like a wire issue. So if it is that I shouldn't need a thermostat or should I just replace it to be safe? The camry has 120k but not sure when it should be replace.

'88 All-Trac · 04-07-2011, 07:14 PM

T-stat has no direct relationship to the gauge, but they're cheap and can fix a lot of issues. Look for loose grounds or frayed wires... Also check all of the connectors in the engine bay for corrosion/etc.

white90dx · 04-08-2011, 10:48 AM

For the temp gauge on the gauge cluster, you are looking for a single wire connector on the water outlet neck. Check the wiring around there, and adjust/move all the connectors to loosen any corrosion.

If you want to try a new sender, make sure you buy the "Water Temp Sender" not the "Water Temp Sensor" (sender = gauge cluster, sensor = ECU).

-Charlie