Other

Will my check engine light come on if I have a bad thermostat?

Will my check engine light come on if I have a bad thermostat?

The most noticeable issues occur when the thermostat gets stuck in either the open or closed position. A malfunction can result in a trouble code, generated by the engine’s computer, which can turn on your check engine light.

How can you tell if your thermostat is bad in your car?

Symptoms of a Failing Car Thermostat

  1. The temperature gauge reads high and the engine overheats.
  2. The temperature changes erratically.
  3. The vehicle’s coolant leaks around the thermostat or under the vehicle.

Why is the temperature gauge on my car not working?

Check a wiring diagram of your car to measure the wiring correctly. The next problem is a faulty temperature gauge. However, most temperature gauges are integrated with the instrument cluster on modern cars. In some cases, you can replace the temperature gauge or repair any bad solderings if you find any.

Why is my engine temperature reading so low?

The most common problem when it comes to a faulty engine temperature reading is the coolant temperature sensor itself, sending the information to the cluster. Some cars have two temperature sensors, while other car models have one.

What are the symptoms of a bad coolant temperature sensor?

Hence, it is advised to have your car inspected right away to avoid any serious problems. Here is a more detailed list of the common symptoms of a bad coolant temperature sensor. One of the first symptoms you will notice is that the check engine light will activate.

How many temperature sensors does a car have?

Some cars have two temperature sensors, while other car models have one. The models with one sensor usually both use the engine control unit’s temperature and the same sensor for the gauge. If your car model has two coolant temperature sensors, one is used by the temperature gauge, and one is used for the engine control unit.

What to do if your car temperature gauge is not working?

If your car computer acts as an interface between the sending unit and temperature gauge or warning light, turn the ignition switch off when disconnecting wires from the sending unit, warning light, or temperature gauge. You need to do this to prevent induced-voltage damage to the computer. Consult your vehicle repair manual. 6.

What causes the Check Engine light to come on?

Problem seems to cycle – driving along, suddenly the check engine light comes on along with the electronic throttle control warning light, as the temp gauge drops to zero – which triggers the Check Gauges warning light to come on. Drive more, stop a few times, ETC light goes off, temp gauge starts working again.

What happens to the temperature gauge when the engine warms up?

The gauge’s indicator shows this by remaining at the low end of the reading range. As engine coolant warms up, the sending unit’s resistance decreases accordingly, and the gauge’s indicator begins to rise. It’ll remain at around the middle of the reading scale, if the engine stays at operating temperature.

How can I tell if my light gauge is hot?

Check the gauge if the needle moves toward “Hot”, the wire from the gauge to the sending unit has an open or bad connection. If it does not move, connect a test light by grounding one end to a good known ground and the other end to positive side of the gauge (typically a pink wire).

Author Image
Ruth Doyle