answersLogoWhite

0

A good thermostat will make the temp guage fluctuate 80-100 degrees as it opens and closes, it is holding coolant inside the engine until it reaches the preset temperature ( around 185 depending on the manufacturer specs. ), then opens to let the hot coolant out to the radiator to be cooled and cool fluid in to keep the motor warm but not hot. If yours is fluctuating to the extremes as you wrote " from cold to hot" the temperature sending unit or gauge itself is to blame. If it is moving back and forth in the middle somewhere then its pretty normal. S bad thermostat would either stay shut and overheat the engine, or at least make it run hot, or stay open and run hot in the summer and stay cold in the winter. The coolant must be allowed time to cool in the radiator or it will eventually reach the same temp and just continue to rise, or never warm up enough to operate the engine properly.

User Avatar

Wiki User

18y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What happens when you repeatedly heat up granite and then plunged into cold water?

Heating up granite repeatedly and then plunging it into cold water can cause thermal shock, leading to the material cracking or splitting due to rapid changes in temperature. This process can weaken the structure of the granite and ultimately cause it to break or shatter over time.


What might cause that Toyota Camry 2000 running too cold?

Thermostat is stuck open.


Can having a cold cause a seizure?

Colds do not cause seizures, though you could happen to have a seizure while you have a cold.


Can a bad thermostat cause the heat to blow cold air?

Yes, a faulty thermostat can cause the heating system to blow cold air. If the thermostat is not functioning properly, it may not signal the furnace to turn on and produce warm air. It's important to have a professional inspect and replace the thermostat if needed to ensure proper heating.


Why does the heater blow cold and temperature gauge stays on cold on a 1994 Chrysler LeBaron?

Most likely cause is a failed engine thermostat.


Can a bad thermostat cause your car to run cold?

If stuck open the car will run cold. If stuck closed the car will run hot.


What is the cause of a 98 Ford Windstar overheating but heater only blows cold air?

thermostat stuck


What could cause your jeep to only blow cold air?

Thermostat and/or heater core may be defective


Can a thermostat cause heater in house to blow cold air?

No, not if it's on a heat setting. Most home thermostats have a "Fan" setting that will blow cold air if the attic is cold.


What can cause the Coolant fans not to run at all not even in AC mode?

Cold engine, extremely cold weather, malfunctioning temp sensor, malfunctioning thermostat.


1999 ford escort will thermostat cause service engine soon light to come on?

yes sometimes cause if it fails open the temp sensor will kick the light on tellin its too cold or opposite if the thermostat fails closed


Your heater is blowing out cold air on your 1995 dodge caravan how do you fix this?

Possible cause thermostat bad stuck open