2002 Ford ZX2 Logo
Donald Clark Posted on Jan 13, 2013
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Water tempature gauge shows hot when car is cool ;and hasn't been driven

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Anonymous

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  • Expert 96 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 12, 2013
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It sounds like the temp sender may be bad. This is the sensor that sends a signal to the gauge on the dash (as opposed to the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor that goes to the ECU instead.) It is located on the bottom front of the thermostat housing (which you will find if you follow the large hose from the top right of the radiator.)

Before replacing, make sure the connection is clean and secure, then check the wiring for any obvious failures.

4 Related Answers

Nottz

  • 24 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 05, 2009

SOURCE: Temp gauge goes from cold to hot.

You can remove the rad cap and run the engine ( do not remove cap when hot!! ) You should be able to see the coolant circulating in the rad. You can also remove a heater hose and hold upwards and start engine, if coolant flows out the pump is circulating. If all looks good at that point I would start to suspect a cylinder head gasket leak and / or cracked cylinder head. Hope this helps .. Good Luck

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Marvin

  • 85242 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 14, 2009

SOURCE: antifreeze and water leaking from drivers side

the water pump is likely leaking, don't drive this until the pump is replaced, u run the risk of total failure and a damged engine

Anonymous

  • 94 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 09, 2009

SOURCE: temperature gauge shows hot when first started

temp sensor could be bad

Anonymous

  • 1623 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 25, 2011

SOURCE: 1998 mercury mystique cooling fans

The low speed side is of the fan motor is probably defective, replace the motor.

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Related Questions:

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1answer

Engine becomes hot.

Very hot is a relative term. The engine is supposed to run around 200 degrees which is very hot in some ways.
What does the gauge on the dash say, and is the radiator fan coming on when the gauge is in the middle ?
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My 2000 Montana gauge is showing that's over heating even when it's driven a short distance and when driven on the freeway it's not smelling like its over heating or there no steam coming

If the gas gauge does not work correctly and the temp gauge reads hot, you could have a problem with the instrument panel.
Both gauges get power from the same circuit, but each gauge is grounded by its own sending unit.
If the temp gauge is reading correctly, you could have air in the cooling system and it is not actually full of liquid coolant.
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I have a 1997 5doors Toyota rav4 The temperature gauge indicates a very high level, but still hasn't reached the red line. the engine seems to be heating up to quicker than usual, the coolant inside...

get your fan working asap. i wouldnt even start your vehical until you get your fan on. it could just be a wire that came loose or even the fuse. if its a belt driven fan then make sure the belts are turning. worst case senareo be sure to top your fluid cuz you could have created a bubble in your cooling system and after all that let your car warm up and check for any leaks and check your oil and make sure its not watery or milky after because you might have a leak inside from letting it run so hot
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Tempature gauge shows all the way hot but not over heating then goes back to normal withing 1 to3 minutes.

Your cooling system is low on water the hot rating is coming from the air in the system super heating and then the coolant circulates through bringing the temp reading back down.
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Tempature gauge goes to hot side when the air

your car is overheating...when your car is cool, check level of radiator should be up to the top. Start car and let idle till it gets hot, put hand on upper radiator hose..it should be hot, if its not, your thermostat is stuck closed and this could lead to "head gasket damage" if left in this condition. when you select the heater position.. "this is the correct thing to do in any car that is overheating".. because it takes the water from that system and dumps it into the engine coolant system and helps to cool it down a little bit. So remember when your overheating turn on the heater system till you can pull off the road and get the coolant system checked. can i get a very helpful.
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I HAVE A 1992 HONDA ACCORD, THE WATER IN MY CAR IS BOILING, AND IT IS CAUSING MY CAR TO SMOKE. JUST REPLACED THE HOSES ON MY CAR 2 WEEKS AGO

The water is boiling because your car is overheating. Does your tempature gauge read hot or warm? Make sure your coolant level is full. If it is and your vehicle still overheats check to make sure your cooling fan is coming on (fan by radiator) you can do this by just letting your car run and waiting to hear it come on. It should come on before your tempature gauge reads hot. DO NOT let your car run until the temp gauge reads hot. These cars have aluminum cylinder heads and can warp causing serious problems. The cooling fan should come on for a few minutes then shut off and continue to do this. If it stays on, first make sure your A/C is switched off, second if it does not turn off and your temp continues to rise then you have other problems. You may have a bad thermostat, sticking closed. The water pump could be bad or a blocked radiator. If your coolant level is good, your fans are coming on like they should then you might try have your coolant system flushed. Those are some things you can try that are simple and not expensive. If they don't work then you'll have to start looking at other items in the coolant system. Hope that helps, gl.
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Car stalled

these vehicles overheat real fast when u noticed the water pump leak yu should have replaced it now i think that you have over heated the head and the heads have to be removed , check for cracks and most probably you will end up doing a valve job and replacement of the head gasket, water pump and the timing belt. sorry not very cheap at all
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