Here’s How to Fix Your Car’s Temperature Gauge
- Using an OBD2 scanner, check to see if the CTS is providing live temperature readings.
- If it isn't, there's your problem. The part will need to be replaced.
- Let the car's coolant cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
- For better clearance, jack up the front end of your vehicle.
- Remove the radiator cap.
- Remove the temperature sensor.
- Lower your car.
- Start the engine.
- Take a test drive.
Full Answer
What should I do if my temperature gauge is not working?
Take a test drive. Check to make sure the coolant level hasn’t dropped. If it has, refill it as necessary. If everything is a-ok, you’ve done it. Another common reason for a faulty temperature gauge is air making its way into the radiator hoses.
What causes a temperature gauge to go bad on a car?
Corroded connectors at the sensor, the gauge, and the engine control unit can cause faulty readings. You may be able to diagnose this yourself if you can get a look at the firing and see where everything connects. A spray of The entire temperature gauge is faulty. This can be more problematic than it may sound like at first.
What should I do if my gauge wire is hot?
If the gauge is reading hot, then there’s a problem with the wire having an open or bad connection. If it doesn’t move, then you go to the next step. You can use a test light by grounding one end and connecting the other to the positive side of the gauge which should have a pink wire connecting to it.
Why does my thermostat temperature gauge go up and down?
If you have air or something else in the lines, your gauge will probably be reading up and down as it passes through or stay cold if air bubbles get stuck on the sensor itself. A broken thermostat will throw your temperature gauge off.
Why is temperature gauge important?
Why is my car's temperature reading faulty?
How to check coolant level on car?
How to test a thermostat?
What scanner to use to check CTS?
Where is the thermostat located on a radiator?
How to get better clearance on a car?
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About this website
What causes a temperature gauge to stop working?
The most common cause of faulty temperature readings is a broken coolant temperature sensor (CTS). The part, which is normally located near a vehicle's thermostat near the base of the radiator (consult your owner's manual or repair guide) can get gunked up and fail.
How do you troubleshoot a temperature gauge?
1:383:06Troubleshooting Oil Pressure and Water Temperature GaugesYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the gauge moves too hot you have a break in the wire or bag connection in the sending unit feedMoreIf the gauge moves too hot you have a break in the wire or bag connection in the sending unit feed wire. If the needle still doesn't move too hot you have a faulty gauge.
What does it mean when the temperature gauge doesn't move?
The most common reason why your car's temperature gauge stays on cold is a faulty coolant temperature sensor. It can also be caused by bad wirings between the cluster or the sensor. In some cases, it can also be a stuck thermostat causing the engine not to heat up properly.
How much does it cost to fix a temperature gauge?
The average cost for an engine temperature sensor replacement is between $150 and $193. Labor costs are between $82 and $105 and parts are between $66 and $88.
Is there a fuse for temperature gauge?
There isn't one per se. There will be a fused wire with voltage to the instrument cluster (your owners manual should indicate which fuse), but the temperature sensor is providing a variable "resistance to ground," which the temperature gauge in the dash is reflecting.
What sensor controls the temp gauge?
This way, the computer knows how hot the engine is running and if it's getting close to overheating. The ECT sensor may also control the temperature gauge on your dash, though in some vehicles, that is done instead by the engine coolant sending unit, otherwise known as a temperature switch.
Can you drive with a broken temperature gauge?
Can I Still Drive with a Bad Thermostat? The easy answer to this question is no. While your car may be physically able to move and get you from Point A to Point B, you will want to refrain from operating your vehicle. This can lead to more parts of your vehicle being damaged, especially if the engine is overheating.
What are the symptoms of a thermostat stuck open?
A thermostat stuck in the open position constantly pushes coolant into the engine and causes a lower operating temperature. Your temperature gauge will show a needle that barely increases or remains at the lowest setting.
How do I know if my temperature sensor is working?
How to test a faulty thermocouple or resistance thermometer?Check if the -ve and +ve leads swapped.Check for any thermocouple cable wiring issues.Check for local heat source issues.Check Temperature Transmitter Settings.Check temperature controller settings.Troubleshooting temperature sensors with a multimeter.More items...
What are the signs of a failing temperature sensor?
Following are the significant symptoms of a bad coolant temp sensor:Check Engine Light.Engine Overheating.Poor Fuel Economy.Poor Engine Performance.Broken Water Pump.Control of Cooling Fan.Black Smoke From Exhaust Pipe.
Where is the temperature sensor located?
Most of the time it is close to the thermostat of the cooling system, or in some cases even inside of it. Note: Some engines may actually have a pair of sensors—one sending information from the engine to the control unit, the other sending information from the control unit to the dash.
How do I reset my temp gauge needle?
2:464:37Gauge Cluster: How To Recalibrate⏱️ - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're just going to pull down on this until we get to the e. Right where it's zeroed out so justMoreWe're just going to pull down on this until we get to the e. Right where it's zeroed out so just kind of look at it an angle make sure it's zero.
How do I know if my temperature sensor is working?
How to test a faulty thermocouple or resistance thermometer?Check if the -ve and +ve leads swapped.Check for any thermocouple cable wiring issues.Check for local heat source issues.Check Temperature Transmitter Settings.Check temperature controller settings.Troubleshooting temperature sensors with a multimeter.More items...
How do I reset my temp gauge needle?
2:464:37Gauge Cluster: How To Recalibrate⏱️ - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're just going to pull down on this until we get to the e. Right where it's zeroed out so justMoreWe're just going to pull down on this until we get to the e. Right where it's zeroed out so just kind of look at it an angle make sure it's zero.
How do you test a coolant temperature sensor?
Gently lower the end of the sensor into the water until the entire device is fully submerged. Wait a minute or so for the screen to give you a reading of the cold water. Once you have a reading, write down the measurement for reference. A common reading for a temperature sensor in cold water is around 5 volts.
Why is my temperature gauge in my car not moving? - Quora
Answer (1 of 6): First things first check your coolant level. Many systems will not register a temp if it's too low as there is nothing for the temp sensor to measure. If the level is good then it could be a number of things. Coolant temp sender/sensor, or the gauge itself are the most likely. Co...
How to fix a temperature gauge – Chicago Tribune
New temperature sensor (if applicable) New thermostat (if applicable) New coolant; Here’s How to Fix Your Car’s Temperature Gauge. Let's do this!
What Does it Cost to Repair a Temperature Gauge?
The average cost of a coolant sensor replacement, for instance, is around $200 to $270 depending on where you live and the make and model of your car. A faulty thermostat will have a similar cost in terms of parts and labor as well.
What to do if your gauge is hot?
If it doesn’t move, you can try the next step. Remove the green wire from the back of the gauge itself this time and connect a jumper from the back of the terminal to a ground.
What happens if your thermostat is broken?
A broken thermostat will throw your temperature gauge off. Because the thermostat restricts the flow of coolant through the radiator, it typically gives accurate readings of the temperature. However, if the thermostat gets stuck open and is no longer able to restrict the flow, it may continue to read cooler than the actual temperature. That doesn't mean your gauge will read stone cold, but it likely will rise very slowly and not reach as hot as it should.
Why does my temperature gauge stop working?
It’s potential that any wire along the path could have come loose, corroded, or been somehow broken that would cause your temperature gauge to stop working.
Why is my thermostat stuck?
If the hose and the engine are both warm, then that is almost definitely an issue with your thermostat being stuck. Check your lower radiator hose compared to the upper hose. It should be cooler than the upper hose. If that’s not the case, then you have an issue with coolant circulation.
How does a temperature sending unit work?
How your temperature sending unit works depends on your make and model. Some models have two units, for instance. Older cars will have the unit connected directly to the gauge while most cars from the mid-90s onward have the electronic control unit as the intermediary between the two.
Why is my engine running hot?
If your coolant is looking cloudy, rusty, or muddy in some way then it has become contaminated and that means it could be causing your engine to run hot. When your engine is cool enough, check the radiator cap. A loose cap can lead to inconsistent temperature signals. Check to see if your cooling fan is running.
Why is temperature gauge important?
In modern cars, the temperature gauge also helps the engine computer set a proper fuel-to-air mixture. That's important for both fuel economy and engine longevity. But figuring out what’s causing your temperature gauge to fail, or behave erratically, isn’t just a case of “here’s what’s wrong.”.
Why is my car's temperature reading faulty?
The most common cause of faulty temperature readings is a broken coolant temperature sensor (CTS). The part, which is normally located near a vehicle’s thermostat near the base of the radiator (consult your owner’s manual or repair guide) can get gunked up and fail.
How to check coolant level on car?
Make sure all the coolant plugs are secure. Add the coolant and place the cap back on the reservoir. Lower your car. Start the engine. Wait to see if the temperature gauge reads correctly. Take a test drive. Check to make sure the coolant level hasn’t dropped. If it has, refill it as necessary.
How to test a thermostat?
The only way to test a thermostat is by removing it completely and submerging it in a bucket of hot water to see if it opens. Here’s how to test and replace a faulty thermostat. Let the car’s coolant cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Locate the thermostat. For better clearance, jack up the front end of the vehicle.
What scanner to use to check CTS?
Using an OBD2 scanner, check to see if the CTS is providing live temperature readings.
Where is the thermostat located on a radiator?
Neither is a good thing for your engine. The thermostat is usually located at the top of the radiator or at its base (consult your owner’s manual or repair guide).
How to get better clearance on a car?
For better clearance, jack up the front end of the vehicle.
