Hello Neon Experts!

I have a 2000 dodge neon that's been through a lot in it's life. I was rearended on the freeway a couple years ago and instead of totalling the car they fixed it. I joke that my car is a hybrid because it's a 2000 neon from the dash to the front bumper and a 2001 neon from the dash back.

Yesterday while driving to work (4 miles it was about 70 degrees out) the temperature gauge spiked all the way to hot. I pulled off the road and popped the hood. There was no steaming or gurgling in the engine. I had checked the fluids over the weekend so I know the coolant was still nice and highlighter green. My reservoir tank is full. I decided to keep on driving so I turned on the heater full blast and kept on down the road. At first things were fine. Then a block later the temp gauge spiked to hot again and i heard the dreaded *bing bing bing*

I made it to work. Stopped the car and listened to the engine. The fan is running when the car is running. The engine doesn't smoke or sound like it's bubbling up. I'm hoping it's just the thermostat. What do you guys think?

What other issues could be causing this random spike on the temp gauge? I'm taking it to the mechanic tomorrow but I'm really worried that it could be something major.

 

make sure ur radiator hose isn't clogged...happened to me in a grand am[:@] on the highway....i got so pissed i kept driving at it that i drove it till the lower half or the engine blew.

 

if u heard the dreaded binging ur just about kidding urself if u still hope its only the thermo reading wrong

 

The check engine light is on and it was a binging but only shortly while the gauge had spiked. I haven't heard any engine noise. I pay close attention to what my car is telling me.I used to drive a 1975 Plymouth Valiant so I've learned to pay close attention to my car. haha

I'll check the radiator hose on it too. Thanks for the suggestion. I don't want to blow the engine. That's the last thing I need right now!

 

yea tell me about it being out of a car blows lol and the only other time i heard a bing noise was when my throw out bearing in my clutch blew

 

Hahah! I've heard the dreading binging before but it only has 87,000 miles on it. I need to get at least another 30k out of this thing.

 

my bearing whent at 79,000 and I crashed at 80,000miles and mine was for sale[:@]

 

if it was ur thermostate, it will steadily go up and den down. or so dats wat happened wit mine. it was going up and down and i changed da thermostat and it works

 

tell ya what, take out your thermosat, and throw it into a pot of boiling water. if the spring contracts, then its not the problem.

 

yea dats a good way to test ur thermostat