temperature gauge

muhl5443 · #1 06-21-2006, 06:50 AM

ok so i noticed today that my temp. gauge has been bouncing all over the place.... i turn the hot air on full boar to help cool the engine down and it helps but when i turn the hot air off it jumps right back up..... i flushed the radiator and everything that the antifreeze even goes through.... i filled everything back up to the correct amount and drove it 6 miles round trip after i have drained and re filled while i was driving it stayed at a reasonable area but when i got back home i let it sit in idle for 5 mins. and the damn gauge jumped on me..... is this normal? i am out of ideas and the parts store guy thinks thawt it might be the thermostat. could it be the thermostat? any help or suggestions are welcome

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BadStratRT · #2 06-21-2006, 12:39 PM

year make and model? engine?

muhl5443 · #3 06-21-2006, 01:04 PM

1996 dodge stratus with the 2.0

BadStratRT · #4 06-21-2006, 01:47 PM

hmm..first off, do you know if your fan(s) are coming on under normal conditions?

thermostatsare very cheap..if youve had the car for a while and havent replaced it, it couldnt hurt to start there.

when you flushed the coolant, did it look very dirty, or foamy?

muhl5443 · #5 06-22-2006, 03:17 AM

the fans seem to be coming on under normal conditions... how would i know to be sure if they are coming on under normal conditions?

the coolant wasn't very dirty but it was dirty. i will go and buy a new thermostat tomorrow for my car...

B_52 · #6 06-22-2006, 04:29 AM

Two common possabilities;

Thermostat is the first that we all leap to, and it is simple and cheap to replace.
Second will be the Radiator cap itself.
Youd be doing yourself a favor and get both at the same time. Bet the problem goes away.

2 cents

BadStratRT · #7 06-22-2006, 03:36 PM

hmm..i hadnt thought about the rad cap. however, it is was the rad cap, wouldnt he be dumping into the overflow?

muhl5443 · #8 06-22-2006, 05:37 PM

my overflow was a lot more full than it should normally be.. i will get a new radiator cap and put that on too... thanks for all the help i will post later tonight when i get off of work and get it all done.