Temperature Gauge Readings...

[FoXracing82085]

While driving home from work yesterday evening I noticed something "odd" about my temperature gauge. The gauge was reading normal with the needle about a hair below the half way point, then, when I turned on my heater the needle dropped all the way down to cold. But this was after the heater ran for about 5 to 10 minutes. What would be the cause of this?

 

[fourgsixthree33]

If it has been cold in Virginia as it has been for us in PA, that is most liikely the culprit. My Talon has been doing the same thing. I always have my heater on high. The past few days, it has been blowing warm/cool air. When it does, I look at the gauge and the needle is almost on the C mark. It's just because it is so damn cold outside. It's been below 0 here. When you are babying the car and just cruising using very little gas, the temp will drop very low. For example, when going down a large hill. You are off the gas, the car is basically idling, but you are moving allowing tons of cold air to cool the radiator and the engine.

What I did was took a 12 pack Dr. Pepper box, flattend it, and stuck it in the grill. It covers up a good half of the grill openning. It runs a little warmer than it did without it. Almost to normal temp and it doesn't drop all the way down. Find some cardboard or something and stuff it in your grill. Moderate the difference in the temperature in different driving situations. Just make sure if the outside air temperature gets warmer, take the cardboard out.

 

[FoXracing82085]

Ok so now at least I know I am not the only one with this issue. I know during the weekend it spiked up close to 70 degrees outside, but it was 35 degrees yesterday ans snowing this morning, and that was the first time I've seen the temperature gauge do that. I'll give the cardboard idea a try and see what happens.

 

[fourgsixthree33]

Yea. But like I said, just keep a close eye on the temp gauge untill you see that it doesn't get too hot.