Does your temp gauge do this?

[Broslice]

My 95 celica gt is actin' funny. The temperature gauge will rise almost to red. (just above 3/4 of the way up) and then drop to halfway when the fan kicks on. It will rise slowly when driving, but happens mostly when idling. I've replaced thermostat and waterpump when i changed a few other things. Hoses are good, coolant is topped off...

Is it normal for the gauge to fluctuate like this?

[toyomoho]

Not sure of this model but not normal on Toyota in general.

What temp setting was the T-stat, did you install it with the hole or little rivet up?

Radiator OK?

If you have something like a meat thermometer put it into the radiator fill point and warm up the engine. The fans should come on around 199F.

Unless the cars coolant capacity has been reduced somehow the T-stat and radiator fans should keep the coolant pretty much the same temp.

Did you flush out the cooling system radiator and engine?

Did you look inside the hoses?

Does the engine only overheat when idling, not when driving or hwy speeds?

[Broslice]

I bought the car a year ago with 87,000 mi on it. I noticed the coolant was a murky brown. (Probably cause they mixed the red coolant with green). So i flushed it out and put a new thermostat (with the mark in the correct spot). It had previously done the same thing, rise up 3/4 and drop. I figured it was the thermostat and just changed it. No go. The water pump has been replaced as well. P.S. I got the thermostat from the dealership, didn't wanna buy any aftermarket crap. Hoses are fine

It does climb slightly when on the freeway, but nothing like it does when idling. The only things left:

Radiator clogged?

Radiator cap bad? Lowered boil temperature?

Would this cause this to happen, and should I even worry about it?

[PittsburghCeli]

Bad temperature sensor?
WATER TEMPERATURE SWITCH?

[JosephineC]

mine did the same even though the thermostat and waterpump had been changed... But if it is the waterpump, make sure you also changes the belts.. they are quickly destroyed if your waterpump or thermostat is broken..
i think it is most likely your thermostat..

[PittsburghCeli]

yeah could be the wrong temperature rated thermostat. It's opening at one temp and the car is looking for another temp bouncing the gauge?

RTFM

http://www.onlinefreeebooks.net/auto...anual-pdf.html

Read The Fucking Manual!

[Broslice]

Its snowin too much right now for me to do any dirty work on messin with the new thermo.

Would there be a problem with the radiator being clogged? Yes or No?

Cap? Yes or No?

thanks guy, this is helpin me out, although i'm almost postive the termo was the right temp, i got it from toyota, unless the dealership doesnt know what the heck they're doin