My temp gauge disappears after the car has been running for awhile? What is causing this?

2001 TOYOTA CELICA
88,000 MILES
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SCLARK37138
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I purchased my Celica about a month ago and already had to put a different engine in it because it threw a rod through the engine block. Prior to the incident I noticed that the temp gauge dial disappears after the car has been running for awhile and it continues to happen.

I took the car in yesterday because the speedometer and odometer stopped working as well. While it was there they found a loose clamp and coolant had been leaking out. I have.to.assume the car probably overheated some. Since the clamp has been replaced, the speedometer and odometer are working fine, but the temp gauge still disappears after it has been running.

I also have an issue where the odometer, fuel, and temp gauges are hard to see (but I have to assume that is only a burnt out bulb). They told me I need a whole new instrument cluster, but I'm concerned there may be an issue with the termostat or a sensor in the coolant system. Is this valid reasoning ? What else would cause the temp gauge dial to disappear when everything else on the instrument cluster is working fine?
May 19, 2012 at 1:49 PM
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KHLOW2008
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I believe the meter cluster circuit for the temperature gauge is bad. You can remove the meter cluster and check the circuit board. Some resoldering might work as bad solders or a loose connection can cause such problems.
A bad coolant sensor would not affect the meter the way you described it.
May 19, 2012 at 5:13 PM