Yesterday afternoon I noticed that my temperature gauge was all the way in the red. Then suddenly the temperate gauge needle went back down to normal. It would stay in the middle for a few minutes and then rise to hot again and stay there for a couple of seconds and then suddenly go back to normal. There were no other signs of over-heating (no steam, smoke and no burning smell and no changes in the way the car was driving). My husband put coolant in my engine last night but then temperature gauge is still acting up this morning. Any idea what would cause this?
Temperature gauge issue
- Thread starter leslie22
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Pikeman
New member
Two things that come to mind would be the actual sensor could be going bad or possible loose connection or damaged wire between teh temp sensor and the gauge. It might help if you give us vehicle information such as Year, Mileage and engine as sometimes common issue and people might be able to reply more accurately.
It's a 1999 Toyota 4-Runner / 4 Cylinder / Mileage: 226000 (I know...a lot of miles..but paid for and still running pretty good)
My main concern it that I don't want to take time off from work this week to have it repaired. I was hoping that this issue isn't something that is going to damage the vehicle by driving it a couple of days before getting it looked at. Since it doesn't really appear to be an issue of over-heating, do you think it's ok to drive it until the weekend?
My main concern it that I don't want to take time off from work this week to have it repaired. I was hoping that this issue isn't something that is going to damage the vehicle by driving it a couple of days before getting it looked at. Since it doesn't really appear to be an issue of over-heating, do you think it's ok to drive it until the weekend?
Pikeman
New member
I drive a 98 with 217,000 miles and it isnt much on a Toyota engine. You should be fine for a few days. I am saying that based on the information you provided that it does it randomly and no other symptoms accompany the guage issue. My temp gauge never moves off middle but I know I have had it hot a few times. I bought a Scan Gauge II and that gives me actual live readings from the vehicles ECM. Of course is the Temp sensor is bad it will give false readings to the scan guage also.
Deep_palancar
New member
You should be very, very careful with this. It may in fact be a harmless faulty temp. sensor. But it could be a valid indication of short term overheating. A failing thermostat could be blocking the flow from the engine into the radiator. I have also seen sludge and in the coolant which clogs the radiator flow tubes.
If it's an actual overheat issue, engine damage is a real possibility. If you must drive it, watch the gauge closely and if you see it start to rise above normal turn on the cabin heat full hot to allow he heat to dissipate somewhat.
toyota tech
New member
temp gauge
fan clutch is starting to go. had the same prob on my 3.4 tundra...also check your trans fluid to make sure its not milky from coolant mixing with ur trans fluid!?
fan clutch is starting to go. had the same prob on my 3.4 tundra...also check your trans fluid to make sure its not milky from coolant mixing with ur trans fluid!?
