Temp Gauge always on Cold ? Broke ?

[GaviN]

Every since I've owned my Camry, everytime I drive it at high speeds for extended periods of time, the temperature gauge drops to cold or below cold like in the pics below. I took these pics earlier today while driving on the expressway for 30 minutes straight and the gauge read cold for the entire time. Also, my heat has seen better days. It stays luke warm 75% of the time and cycles through hot and luke warm for the rest. Could the 2 of those problems be related and if so, what can I do to fix it ? Thanks in advance.

[GaviN]

I must add that the temp gauge stays on C during summer and winter highway driving, but once Im in stop and go traffic or driving in the city, it stays b/w hot and cold.

[white90dx]

What's the outside temp? It sounds like your thermostat is stuck open...

-Charlie

[chronoti]

thermostats are made to fail in the open pos .... so yes your thermostat is bad

[GaviN]

It could be 80 degree's or 20 degree's, once I start driving on the highway, the needle drops to cold but city driving it stays 1/2 way.

[The Wolf]

I've noticed my Camry doing that as of late. Drove 100 miles down the interstate and it never rose above C. I plan to change the thermostat soon, but at least my heat doesn't suck (yet....., knock on wood)

[GaviN]

Are thermostats expensive to replace ? Also, can I do it on my own ?? Im not to much into the mechanics of cars but i'll do anything to save some money at this point in time

[felkajamine]

Originally Posted by white90dx

What's the outside temp? It sounds like your thermostat is stuck open...

-Charlie

yeah that's what i was thinkin, it's sending too much coolant in. thermostats very easy to replace and they only cost a couple of bucks at the most!

there is a thread here somewhere with picture directions on how to replace them

[Mike Gerber]

Get the thermostat and gasket (actually an o-ring) at the dealer. They are a few dollars more but I have found the quality of the Toyota OEM thermostat is superior to the aftermarket ones which can vary in quality from brand to brand. You will also need some coolant as you will lose a bit when changing out the thermostat and will also need to know how to bleed the cooling system when done; this too is not difficult.

This is an easy fix, but get a Chiltons or Haynes manual to guide you through the procedure. You may be able to get hold of one at your local library and photo copy the pages that you need. Read through the process before you start.

Good luck.

Mike

[Davee]

Originally Posted by GaviN

Are thermostats expensive to replace ? Also, can I do it on my own ?? Im not to much into the mechanics of cars but i'll do anything to save some money at this point in time

Try our old cardboard in the rad area & see that the gauge moves up
T/S are cheap & easy to replace -- need a 10 MM box end wrench that will swing & miss the exhaust manifold -- so a small offset wrench

One thing to watch for == make sure the T/S has stated in the groove of the housing when you mate it back to the engine. I ended up cutting the new gasket & leaking . Managed to get by with the old gasket. Don't overtighten -- not big bolts.