My temperature gauge says I'm overheating but I am NOT

EAUCLAIRE

MEMBER
2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
3.8L
V6
FWD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

My temp gauge starts from cold and when I hit running temp and thermostat opens temp gauge gos just under hot redline when car is not overheating. I replaced radiator cap, coolant flush, thermostat, radiator hoses, coolant temp sensor and bled cooling system. Ive even ran car for over an hour today at idle in 90+ weather with my digital temp gun and it stayed at 217 the entire hour even though temp gauge said I was overheating 5 minutes after starting. My gauge has been doing this for almost a year now and once at running temperature says I'm overheating but the car has never ran hot as I check it religiously with my digital temp gun. So once again when I start the car its at cold and after letting it run for 5 minutes or so to get to running temperature after the thermostat opens up temperature gauge goes to hot even though car is at normal temperature. Any ideas?

1 Reply

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,757 POSTS

There is nothing wrong with your car. The fans are programmed to come on around 226 degrees when the car is not moving and that can look very high on the gauge but don't worry about it if it never goes into the red. That's just the way it is designed.