Coolant Temperature
 

Hello All---

Okay, this may be just plain ignorance on my part, so please don't laugh, but here goes:


A little background (perhaps unrelated):
I had my thermostat replaced in early October, due to the "---" reading on the DIC.

Yesterday my battery died, so I had it jumped.

I then had my tires and rims swapped out for my studded snows on steelies.

Here's what happens:
Later that night, I started my car (tried to), but the engine just wouldn't fire until I pumped the gas a few times. This happened a couple of times when I tried starting it, then it started fine without pumping..... later on, it happened again.

The remote start sporadically worked as well (replaced the batteries and both remotes seem to not work here and there, or I have to push the buttons really hard for a few seconds).

I also noticed that the coolant temperature on the DIC read "---," which was annoying because I just had the thermostat replaced. But after I started it the next day, the coolant was reading 32 degrees Fahrenheit when I just did a test-start (perhaps because it's starting to get cold here in central New York?).

Started it tonight and the coolant temp read 68 degrees to start, and slowly rose between 180 and 201 as I drove it (higher temperature was only when the car was idling)....

Is it normal for the temperature to fluctuate like that?

The needle on the dash, though, didn't quite reach the midpoint of the scale though (is it supposed to?). Here are some pics of the needle:

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...1206092031.jpg

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...1206092023.jpg

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...1206092022.jpg



I really appreciate all of the help on this forum, thanks guys!

Andy

Coolant temp on Dory usually floats between 196 to 205.

Sounds as if yours is reading just fine.

ok well that sounds like some good news, where does the needle usually sit on the gauge when she's warmed up?

A bit lower than the half mark.

thank you! wonder if anyone else will chime in about the engine/remote start and such

check your coolant level and see it it is a little low. That could result in sporadic readings.

Mine normally reads between 196 and 201 and the needle is usually a bit closer to the half mark than yours is in the 3rd pic

Whats the highest temp seen or safe? Ive seen mine reach 220 a few times.

202 is the highest temp I've seen mine reach

I have seen 220 here in FL. in stop & go in summer.