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Temperature Gage on dashboard fluctuates a lot?

My temperature gage keeps fluctuating rapidly. It will go say that my car is overheating and then quickly go back to the middle of the gage and then it will fluctuate between cold and get close final notch on the H and go back.

I live in Alaska and temperatures around this time are from 10 degrees (F) to about 41 degrees (F).

I also am past due for an oil change, could that be something that could be effecting it?

And what does it sound like is the problem?

Update:

Whoops. I meant to also put that my heater doesn't seem to work very well either. Could that be related? The heater will blow cold air and then when I start driving around it will blow hot air, but if I stop at a light it goes back to cold air and takes awhile before hot air will blow out again.

And it's a Chevy Blazer, Year 1999.

5 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    check your hoses, you may have bent your radiator, this causes poor circulation in the cooling process of your engine. you could simply have a broken thermostat. which sounds most likely like your thermostat, also check your coolant resvoir. this is the container that holds your coolant aka anti-freeze, I recommend a mixture of 50-50 half water, have antifreeze. You must service or change your cars oil, if you like driving a car, you better change the oil. The oil problem isn't the cause of your temperature fluctuation, however if you don't change the oil it will eventually turn into sludge and seize up your motor. The oil keeps the car running, it essentially lubricates all the working components. Untill you fix your temerature fluctuation dilemna, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND keeping a jug of antifreeze in your car, so your engine doesnt overheat. Check all couplings on your hoses, the upper and lower radiator hoses etc. hope this helps =) also the fact that your temp. gauge moves, shows that it works and eliminates the gauge being broken

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Dashboard Temperature Gauge

  • 1 decade ago

    Oil change wont cause this issue. However your hoses might, please make sure they are secure when the car hasn't been running. Also there is a thermostat inside your radiator system, most likely inside one of the hoses.

    If that thermostat goes bad it won't be able to give your engine the correct amount of water at ANY given time which will cause just this kind of problem. With the right site you may be able to do it yourself otherwise get it to a mechanic or overheating your engine will do more expensive damage.

  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    The thermostat seems to be a remarkable wager. you additionally could have an air bubble on your cooling gadget, in case you latterly replaced the coolant. in the worst case scenario, it would point out a blown head gasket, which permits exhaust gasses into the coolant, inflicting it to overheat. Do you spot any coolant being burnt? that should look to show a head gasket issue.

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Check all of your engine hoses. You might have a leak or a problem with the hoses that is causing the fluid to leak or air to get into the fluid. Also check the level of fluid in your engine.

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