Flucuating temp guage problem

1998 HONDA CIVIC
151,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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PMP
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Hello, I have this ongoing problem and I dont know what to do and im sick of it already. The cooling system is flucuating and if I let the car sit and idle the fan comes on normally. If i take it for like a 20 minute drive then get to a light or a drive thru the temperature guage rises until a certain temp. (I brang it to a shop and they said it was the fan switch so i changed it and i still have the same problem. They also said the fan isnt coming on till 260. I also have a 1-3 minute video of me parked and what the guage does and where in the guage the fan turns on. What else could it be???
Jun 11, 2012 at 2:45 AM
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HMAC300
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
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try replacing your coolant temp sensor it's on the right rear of cyl head
Apr 7, 2021 at 12:11 PM
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PMP
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Is there any way to test it with a volt meter
Apr 7, 2021 at 12:11 PM
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HMAC300
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 48,601 POSTS
you can test to see if there is volts going to it and out but that's about all. you can measure ohms-resistance it shold be at 0 degrees 5000 ohm 104d-1000 ohm176d-500 ohm. this could be aconnection problem or a ground wire loose in dash maybe. if yo have one of those infrared temp gauges, see what it reads when your fan kicks on
Apr 7, 2021 at 12:11 PM
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