Temperature gauge

SARAH BRIGGS

MEMBER
1992 TOYOTA PASEO
1.5L
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
154,740 MILES

My temperature gauge is going crazy. When I turn the car on it stays cold and gradually heats up but after I drive it for awhile the temp gauge jumps up to hot and it will stay there for a minute or two then go back down to medium. It does this multiple times. The car is not making any strange noises or doing anything abnormal it just keeps jumping back and forth. So does this mean my engine is actually overheating or is it just my temperature gauge?

1 Reply

HARRY P

MECHANIC
2,291 POSTS

Your car is probably low on coolant. If this is the case, you have air in the system, which causes the engine temperature to fluctuate. It also means that you have a leak somewhere. When the engine is cold, open the hood, and take the cap off of the radiator. If you cannot see coolant in there, then add some coolant or water, and see if that helps you. Also make sure that there is a proper amount in the coolant reservoir (looks like a funny shaped bottle with one or two hoses). Let us know if this helps.