[rodrix]

Hello everybody, I have almost 8 months with my truck (`02 2.4L auto KC) and since I bought it I noticed that the indicator in the temp gauge jumps to half way (between C and H) when the ignition keys is turn to ON (before starting the engine), and stays there forever, even when the engine is on and cold and warm.

So I thought it was normal since I haven't had any overheating problem, until this week, the water pump fail, drop the coolant liquid and I didn`t noticed the radiator was empty so drove the truck about 15 minutes before I notice it was overheating, I sense it because I felt hard shifting, driven and heat smell, so I pull over and the engine was over heated.

The indicator on the temp gauge never show any kind life.

I replaced the water pump, the thermostat and the coolant fluid and the temp gauge act the same as the very first day I bought the truck.

So, you guys ahve any advice, on what would be wrong?

TIA

Rgds

 

[jonbth]

Coolant temp sending unit would be my guess.

 

[rodrix]

Thanks for your reply. I forgot to mention that according to my knowledge if I unplug the coolant temp sensor the indicator in the gauge should drop dead, please correct me if I'm wrong, but disconnecting it does nothing. The indicator remains the same. So it got me thinking wire grounding problem.

 

[1fstmax]

see if you can get an obdii reader that shows the coolant temp. See if the reading is erratic. If so then replace the sensor, if not probably a short or bad gauge.