Temp Gauge Problem. (Hopefully its just the gauge...)

[empera]

It seems a lot of people are having temp problems during the winter, i hope mine isnt too serious...This started a few weeks ago, temp seemed to be fine but kept dropping really low and up to normal again (never passed "normal readings") but now its mostly between the L and the Halfway point and/or boggles between. Also it seems i have a small coolant leak because my resevior keeps "asking" for more coolant, i cant find the leak tho, but as soon as i get time i'll try to look at every coolant line i can.

As for my temp gauge problem, does anyone know wat this could be? Thanks
Also i hear the temp gauges arent too accurate, could i use an aftermarket one to better read the car.

Thanks,
Emp.

 

[atlpd3147]

Get a toyota termostat and the toyota gasket for it.

 

[mkiii222]

I'm having the exact symptoms you have. I never really thought much of it before though. I do have an extra symptom as well, even in the heat of summer(90-95F here) it takes a good while to warm up and doesn't seem to get as hot as it did before I had the BHG(by about 1/16-1/8").
It takes forever and a day for my car to warm up(even while driving after letting it idle for a couple minutes).
And last winter it wanted more coolant every day or two, but didn't need any when it started warming up outside, and now it blinks about every week.

 

[empera]

ok where exactly is the sensor for the gauge? i thought i knew where it was but i dun think its there...

 

[SupraMario]

empera, its not the gauge(im almost possitive) i had the same problem, it ended up being that the plug to the thermostat housing area that sends info back to the gauge is old brittle and now a pos. so i bet thats what the flucuatting guage is coming from, and quick fix for the leak until u have time to look for it is put some pepper in the radiator. it will find the hole.

 

[empera]

empera, its not the gauge(im almost possitive) i had the same problem, it ended up being that the plug to the thermostat housing area that sends info back to the gauge is old brittle and now a pos. so i bet thats what the flucuatting guage is coming from, and quick fix for the leak until u have time to look for it is put some pepper in the radiator. it will find the hole.

pepper in the radiator? and how will that work, also im lookin under the car and noticing no big puddles of coolant or non at all...i really hope this isnt leading to wat i think it is...

 

[tubbie]

..... put some pepper in the radiator. it will find the hole.

Should I use ground pepper or natural pepper?..... :biglaugh:

Actually, how does the pepper work?

 

[Jayhall]

sounds like what happened to me also, i had BHG, or a warped head, i sold the motor as is, the guy told me what it was, it might have even been both

 

[SupraMario]

for some reason pepper works with small leaks just about everywhere on a cars coolent system, sence its light it will follow the strongest current(leak) i guess and it will clog it up. I've used it one time, when my mom had a leak in the radiator and i just happen to remeber my dad talking about one of those tricks. well it stoped the leak and it was fine.

o yea and check if the antifreeze/water/coolant is coming from the back of the engine,
if it is check the hoses back there, it gets super hot back there and the rubber will eventually give out. this might be why u see no puddles, its evaporating before it hits the ground.
hope that helps

 

[supraman7mgte]

pepper,shmepper!!! you obviously have a coolant leak,and adding a spice to cure it is only a band-aid fix! FIND IT FIX IT
if pepper will fix that,just imagine what season's salt will do!!

 

[empera]

Found it...lower rad. hose, has a SMALL leak, very hard to notice but was dripping when i was at work, Hopefully i just i will be able to find it at pepboys, strauss or autozone. Thanks for the Advice guys! and the seasoning advice too, hehe....

As for the Temp Gauge, could i just get an aftermarket gauge and call it a day? heh

 

[SupraMario]

pepper,shmepper!!! you obviously have a coolant leak,and adding a spice to cure it is only a band-aid fix! FIND IT FIX IT
if pepper will fix that,just imagine what season's salt will do!!

LOL, i said it was a temp fix, i did it to my moms car just so it would last for a couple days till me or my dad could fix it.:biglaugh:
LOL salt:biglaugh: or better yet popcorn salt