hey guys my stock temperature gauge is behaving abnormaly. the gauge will say the car is running hot sometimes (it does not do this all the time.) then all of a sudden drop back down to normal operating temp. If i turm my AC or lights on the gauge starts to rise again. While the temp gauge was reading hot i turned the car off then immediately turned the key to the on position and the gauge went straight to normal. My fans are operating properly and the thermostat and temp sensor are new as well so im not too sure what the problem could be.

All info is appreciated. thanks.

 

maybe it IS running hot.
dumb question but hows the radiator coolant looking? full?

 

Radiator is full. nothing abnormal there.

 

Maybe your thermostat is sticking?

 

Maybe a collapsed rad hose or air in the system.

 

I actually changed the thermostat about an hour before i posted and the problem persists with both.

 

Radiator hoses are new also. Air in the system is possible, something for me to look into. thx

 

I had the same problem. Lasted for about 3 days, then suddenly went away.

 

I wish i had the same luck...haha

 

This is what I was thinking when I read your post. Check the top radiator hose and bottom radiator hose to see if they're the same temp(ish)... If they are, then your thermostat is more than likely good. When your car is cold start it with the radiator cap off and see if it starts "burping" bubbles up...if it does let it burp for awhile and keep adding coolant until it stops.

 

It's your ground. Run a better ground wire from you battery ground to the fender and another to the grounding point near the valve cover, where the temp gauge, lights ground is located. I chased this stupid gremlin for years. Very very simple fix.

 

Check the ground, also sounds like air in the system somewhere. When it's cold, take off the radiator cap and pump the lower hose at the same time to try and work some of those bubbles out. If you can't get it that way, you could always have a shop pull the air out and re-fill. I'd check that ground to the temp sensor as well, they're pretty cheap to replace as well if you need to.

 

thank you everyone for your in put. i will definitely look into all of these suggestions.