Engine coolant temperature gauge

Tiny
KMITHUN
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
About three weeks ago I purchased a 2007 Chevy Equinox. Everything was working correctly and a few days ago, my engine coolant temp gauge started acting up. When I turn on my car that needle and the gas gauge needle bounce up and down then settle on the spot where they are. But the needle for the engine coolant temp gauge somehow managed to move backwards and is always in the upward position (too hot). Even if my car has been off for hours or over night. What could be the problem!
Thursday, June 30th, 2011 AT 11:45 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Hello,

I wounder if the cooenct termatorye sensor is shorted out here is a guide to help walk you through the repair with diagrams below to show you the location.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-temperature-sensor-cts-replacement

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Friday, July 1st, 2011 AT 12:35 AM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
If the needle is sticking, even with the key off, it may be a concern with the instrument panel cluster. The best way to determine if the cluster is at fault is to have a gauge sweep test performed, that requires the use of a scan tool that will interrogate the cluster and perform special function overrides.

Here is a video of the cluster getting replaced with a rebuilt unit on a similar car.

https://youtu.be/_HEC44xENxw

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Friday, July 1st, 2011 AT 3:07 AM
Tiny
SRLAWSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thank you for this post, I had to get a rebuilt cluster for $145.00 all fixed! I love this site
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
JDE99
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
I have a 2007 Equinox. The temperature gauge sometimes works but most of the time it shows hot or off the scale even at start up in the morning. I replaced the coolant temperature sensor and no change. No problems with overheating though. I figured it must be the instrument cluster panel and I’d live with it and have been for the last 6 months. This morning, after I started the car, I had no power to the entire AC control section under the radio section. After work I started it and now I have AC control power and all is good (except the wacked out temperature gauge). After reading about this, I am thinking I might have a bad BCM. Maybe these are unrelated. A blown fuse couldn’t cause the self-fixing AC control issue, but a bad BCM could cause both problems. Thinking about replacing BCM but would like to do a little troubleshooting first with some expert advice. Please offer any help here if you have experienced this or know about this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDE99
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Understood. Thanks. The AC module thing has not come back. Yet. So not going to worry about it unless it acts up again. I have a friend with the same year Equinox. Neither have that passlock feature. Do you think I could plug her BCM in as a quick test to see if my temperature gauge works without causing damage?
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
They are VIn specific meaning for each car I tmay work but you might screw it up when you reinstall it to his car and it may not work everything. Dashes going bad is quite common and can be rebuilt if you want to drive without it.
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GREY24
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
I changed thermostat because I thought it might be sticking but having same problem. The temp gauge goes almost to redline the fans kick on like they are supposed to there is no leaks anywhere and it is a closed system no rad cap what else could it be
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
May have a clog in system or weak water pump, flush system out and see if problem pursues.
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EQUINOX-2005
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 42,000 MILES
I have a 2005 Chevy Equinox - LT. I have what siounds like intermittent valve noise or the water pump - metal to metal sound. Temp gauge is ok and engine oil was just changed. Any ideas?
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Is there any coolant leaking from the water pump? When do you hear the sound?
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EQUINOX-2005
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
There is no coolant leaking. The "knock" I hear is as I am driving. No more or less during acceleration. It is intermittent. I will check again today, but I think it was more noticeable as I moved the stearing wheel to the right slightly as I drive (not turning, just a nudge or so then straight again). I am trying to narrow it down.
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Make sure to check steering components as well as ball joints. Make sure everything is tight.

Let me know what you find.
Joe
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EQUINOX-2005
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EQUINOX-2005
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
As I drive it sounds like chatter from the steering components. Today while driving 5-10 MPH I heard the chatter again. It increased as I moved the steering from side to side. I was in traffic heading to work. I will to check some of the underside components tonight to see what else it might be.
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Is there a change in the noise when you make turns?
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHARI 00
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 158,300 MILES
I was sitting at a stop light and the temp guage shot up to high and the light came on and the vehicle seemed like it wanted to cut off but it didn't. Why is this? I've checked the radiator coolant and it was full, but when I cut the car off there was none left and there wasn't anything on the ground.
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EQUINOX-2005
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Yes. I got to get up under there to see. Something is loose. When I go over a pot hole or if I***** the steering wheel left to right rapidly I can hear the chatter. Normal bumbs are OK but if I go over a severely damages or roadway in need of paving the chatter is louder.
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try refilling the radiator while engine is running with the correct coolant, are you actually overheating-no coolant can mean its being burned in the engine cylinders with white smoke out of the tailpipe
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
What you need to do is safely lift the front of the vehicle and check for play in the ball joints and tierods. Also, make sure the stabalizer links are tight and not worn.

Let me know.
Joe
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHARI 00
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I will try what you've suggested. The reservoir was full and then I left the cap off and I heard it gurgling and then I put the cap back on. Then I noticed it was empty. I am allowing the car to rest and will put the correct coolant in the car in the a.M. I am traveling tomorrow and I just want to be safe. Thank u so much for ur assistance.
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)

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