Temperature gage fluctuations

[FranksFords]

Recently had to have heads reworked on my 07. Bought it with 22000 on it in 2009. Had transmission redone about a year ago and my daughter was driving it and radiator cracked it ran hot and damaged them. I've put probably 2500 miles on it since. Drove it around running errands the other day. Went home and was there several hours until I had something else to do. Had driven about 3 miles when temperature light came on and gauge pegged all way up. I pulled to side of interstate and it went off. Checked coolant and it was fine. Drove another 4 or 5 miles or did it again but as soon as it came on 10 or so seconds it went off. Decided to drive to friends close by. It did the same thing twice more before getting there. Left vehicle as I had appointment. Had driven probably 15 miles. Went yesterday to get vehicle. Cranked and let it warm up in driveway. Got to normal temp no problem. Drove the 15 miles back home with no issue. Any ideas???

 

[2010 Eddie Bauer]

Recently had to have heads reworked on my 07. Bought it with 22000 on it in 2009. Had transmission redone about a year ago and my daughter was driving it and radiator cracked it ran hot and damaged them. I've put probably 2500 miles on it since. Drove it around running errands the other day. Went home and was there several hours until I had something else to do. Had driven about 3 miles when temperature light came on and gauge pegged all way up. I pulled to side of interstate and it went off. Checked coolant and it was fine. Drove another 4 or 5 miles or did it again but as soon as it came on 10 or so seconds it went off. Decided to drive to friends close by. It did the same thing twice more before getting there. Left vehicle as I had appointment. Had driven probably 15 miles. Went yesterday to get vehicle. Cranked and let it warm up in driveway. Got to normal temp no problem. Drove the 15 miles back home with no issue. Any ideas???

Has the thermostat ever been changed?

 

[FranksFords]

Has the thermostat ever been changed?

Yes. Was replaced when heads were done along with the assembly it's mounted in.

 

[2010 Eddie Bauer]

Yes. Was replaced when heads were done along with the assembly it's mounted in.

I believe there is a coolant temperature sensor that gives readings to the computer and causes the temperature gauge to adjust accordingly. Perhaps that sensor is starting to go bad. That would explain the fluctuations you are experiencing. The car may not actually be overheating; instead, the gauge may be inaccurate. Just something to check.

 

[94Eddie]

It doesn't sound like it is actually overheating since it seems the temp gauge swings so quickly up and down. My guess is a bad temperature sensor. While unlikely, it might be a problem with the instrument cluster.

 

[FranksFords]

Drove vehicle again today to and from work. No issues going but on way home after about 15 miles I was stopped and the traction indicator came on and went off. Temperature gage fluttered up down but No light on instrument panel. A moment later traction light came on and temperature gage went to 0. As soon began driving temp gage went to normal but traction light stayed on until I reached home and turned vehicle off then restarted.

 

[2010 Eddie Bauer]

Drove vehicle again today to and from work. No issues going but on way home after about 15 miles I was stopped and the traction indicator came on and went off. Temperature gage fluttered up down but No light on instrument panel. A moment later traction light came on and temperature gage went to 0. As soon began driving temp gage went to normal but traction light stayed on until I reached home and turned vehicle off then restarted.

Go to Autozone and have the car's computer scanned for codes. This will help us to pinpoint the problem.