Fault - Engine Temp Gauge - Celica Gen 7

[Nobby82]

Hi fellow Toyota owners.

I have a bit of a dilemma. I currently own (and adore) my 2001, gen7 celica (140). But over the last few days my temerature gauge seems to be playing up. I'll start from the beginning.

On my way back from work the other day my guage suddenly shot right up for about 30 seconds and then went back down to medium. Thinkning this may have been a small glitch i didn't think much of it and carried on. The same thing happened the next day after just a couple of miles so i pulled over and checked collant level, oil level and fan... All were well and engine didn't seem any hotter than normal. It happened again more frequently until today where the gauge shot up to max after 2 minutes and stayed there on my way to work only going back down to medium a few times. I must stress that the temp did go back down by itself with the engine still running. The engine sounds fine with no steam or funny noises, coolant and oil levels still good and the fan is still good. Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be? If so - just to let you know I only know the basics about my car si if I need to find anything under the bonnet I only know where basic things under the bonnet are, like engine, intake, radiator and places you top things up.

Please please please help. I could just go to the mechanics but i always like to have a try first!

Thanks :)

[edwardio]

It could be a number of things.

1. Temp sensor

2. Thermostat

3. Water Pump

4. Air lock

Water are all the fluid levels like when cold (only you mentioned checking them when warm/hot)?

Best thing to do is tackle the cheapest solution first.

Has the coolant system been touched at all recently?

I would firstly see if it's an airlock, as it's free to check. When the engine cold or barely warm, take off the coolant cap. Start the car & leave it running for about 20-30 mins. Every so after give it a few gentle revs. If there is any air in the system, this will get it out. Though you might want to do it a couple of times.

If that doesn't solve the issue, then move onto the next cheapest solution(thermostat or sensor).

[paseoni]

Gents I too have a Gen 7 2002 140vvti and have literally just had the same problem start happening in exactly the same manner stated. Initially my coolant was very low so I topped it up and then also checked oil etc.

I have just driven 300miles in the car and experienced the issue a couple of times on the journey - I turned off the engine and restarted it and it went away and on the other occurance it rest back to the half way point and even below so I was happy enough...

Now however, I've just realised I'm not getting any heat out of the heater and have no idea how long it's been like that as it is summer. Clearly this is concerning.

Any ideas?

Nobby82 - can you check your heater and see if it's the same?

[Leeky]

Thermostat sounds faulty to me. Nothing else i can think of that would cause this issue other than the thermostat.