Temperature Gauge fluctuating problem

51688 Views 12 Replies 11 Participants Last post by ToyotaFan95341, 6 mo ago

']['R][) camry

Discussion Starter · Jun 28, 2004

Ok at first I was 100% sure that my thermostat was stuck to wide open because it seamed that if I was stopped at a light my temp would eventually go up to normal and if I was driving it would drop down to half way between normal and cold (this was happening for the past 2 days and it has been hot around here). Just now I was driving, stopped at a light and the gauge started fluctuating up and down about 2 times rather quickly between normal and half way to cold... and then it just went back to normal for the rest of the trip…

So do you think the problem is the thermostat the sits on the water pump or the sensor down near the bottom of the radiator? Cuz now I think it is the sensor.

If it is the sensor down there then I guess I will have to take it into a shop cuz it looks like it is a bitch to get to

Anyone done this or know how much it will cost? thanx (I will be replacing the thermostat regardless becasue it has never been done)

Thanx

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1 - 13 of 13 Posts

amerikim

· #2 · Jun 28, 2004

Do you feel lose of power or any of the other tell tale signs?
Touch your radiator when it indicates hot and see if it agrees.
Had same problem a couple of years back, checked the thermostat and gauge, then when I ran an independant ground to it, everything returned to normal. Viva Las Bacon.
This warm weather is showing everyone its time to work the cooling system.

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Pineapple

· #3 · Jun 28, 2004

The one on the rad is the fan switch, I believe. The temp sensor should be on upper hose neck on the engine. Check your coolant level and leak. Air pocket will mess up the sensor reading. In this weather, the thermostat should be open all the time anyway.

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jhbhatia

· #4 · Jun 28, 2004

']['R][) camry - do you have low temp thermostat? Cus' what puzzles me is that your engine temp is going from normal to low...

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Nico

· #5 · Jun 28, 2004

Pineapple said:
The one on the rad is the fan switch, I believe. The temp sensor should be on upper hose neck on the engine. Check your coolant level and leak. Air pocket will mess up the sensor reading. In this weather, the thermostat should be open all the time anyway.

Yep it really looks like air pockets

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']['R][) camry

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 28, 2004

Well it is stock everything except for I replaced the upper rad hose about 2 weeks ago

so it could be air!

thanx guys!

I will keep an eye on it and see what happens (it was ok all last night)

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mkivsoopra

· #7 · Jan 13, 2005

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but ']['R][) camry, was your problem just an air bubble? My 95 Camry is doing the exact same thing. It seems totally random. I haven't replaced any radiator hoses or done anything to the cooling system lately though. Thanks!

Garland

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BLUEMEANIE

· #8 · Jan 13, 2005

In your case, mkivsoopra, it is prolly a bad thermostat. Mine went out on my 95 gen3 in a similar fashion.

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mkivsoopra

· #9 · Jan 13, 2005

Thanks bluemeanie, I'll check that out.

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Stephen Ling

· #10 · Apr 11, 2022

']['R][) camry said:
Ok at first I was 100% sure that my thermostat was stuck to wide open because it seamed that if I was stopped at a light my temp would eventually go up to normal and if I was driving it would drop down to half way between normal and cold (this was happening for the past 2 days and it has been hot around here). Just now I was driving, stopped at a light and the gauge started fluctuating up and down about 2 times rather quickly between normal and half way to cold... and then it just went back to normal for the rest of the trip…

So do you think the problem is the thermostat the sits on the water pump or the sensor down near the bottom of the radiator? Cuz now I think it is the sensor.

If it is the sensor down there then I guess I will have to take it into a shop cuz it looks like it is a bitch to get to

Anyone done this or know how much it will cost? thanx (I will be replacing the thermostat regardless becasue it has never been done)

Thanx

Im having same problem, but at the same time the engine starts to rev higher and the orange engine light comes on and off ...

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Techsus

· #11 · 7 mo ago

@']['R][) Camry

How did you resolve your temperature gauge fluctuation problem?

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snerd

· #12 · 7 mo ago

Wow! An 18 year old thread bump lol!!

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ToyotaFan95341

· #13 · 6 mo ago

Techsus said:
@']['R][) Camry

How did you resolve your temperature gauge fluctuation problem?

Probably just needed a new coolant temp sensor.

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