Engine temp gauge not working and fans running on max
The temperature gauge stays completely dead on a cold start while the cooling fans immediately run at maximum speed. Replacing the thermostat and coolant temperature sensor does not solve the issue, and the problem sometimes starts right after installing a new sensor. When the gauge finally registers after a few minutes of driving, the needle skips the cold area entirely and jumps directly to the current temperature.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Replacing the thermostat
- 2Replacing the coolant temperature sensor
- 3Checking the sensor plug wiring and pins for corrosion or broken wires
- 4Refilling the coolant if it is below the minimum marker.
- 5Checking the temperature sensor and its wiring connector for faults.
- 6Returning to the shop to complain about a recently installed sensor.
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“When i start the car and drive, the engine temp dosen’t register anything unntil i have droven it a little hot/ a few minutes.”source ↗
“Then when it decide it wants to come to life, the needle that shows the engine temp just fast goes up to where it is and skips the cold area completely.”source ↗
“This started happening around same time i got new temp sensor changed.”source ↗
“The temp gauge on my cluster isn't not working at all. When I start it from a cold start the fans are going at max. Sounds like it's about to build thrust. I already changed the thermostat and the coolant temperature sensor. And the problem still persists.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 4Jeep Cherokee instrument cluster and gauges dropping to zero
- 2Why won't my new thermostat turn on the heat?