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I have a 2000 pontiac sunfire, the temp guage has been going up but drops back down in normal range when driving it has coolant but there is evidence of a leak which I cant see where it is coming from, I dont know what my next step is
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I suggest changing the cooling thermostat to make sure it's not getting stuck causing temporary overheating and flush the system and put fresh coolant in. The guage will go hotter then go back to normal every time the thermostat opens to let cooled water into the engine block which is normal. Time for concern is when the guage goes hot and stays there along with bubbling sounds and coolant overflow onto the ground. Which you probably already know.
Your temp ranges from what to what? Some fluctuation is normal during operation because the thermostat is constantly moving to regulate temp, as does the electric fan. Providing changes are not large, and engine is not overheating, or low on coolant, everything is probably normal.
From 2003 to 2006 GM - chevy , pontiac , buick , cadillac , had bad step motors inside the instrument clusters , causing gauges to no work or sporadically . Happened to my 2005 chevy cavalier , went to automotive salvage yard ,got a used one for $20.00 buck's . That was two year's ago , now problems ! How to repair GM Instrument Cluster Speedometer Gauge Stepper
Or you can buy the up graded stepper motors on eBay an fix it .
It may actually be a coolant temp sensor problem - they do have issues sometimes. I'd replace that before anything else - they're generally inexpensive (in the $20 or less range). If, when you ask for a new one, they ask you which one you want, you need the one for the dash gauge. Some cars have one for the gauge and one for the car's ECU. Your problem is with the one that drives the gauge, so get that one.
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