Temperature gauge not working

Tiny
LATINOHEA
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
The temperature gauge stays at cold and my air conditioner when on blows hot air. What can be the problem?
Saturday, July 2nd, 2011 AT 6:06 AM

24 Replies

Tiny
JSIERRA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The a/c and the coolant gauge for some reason are related because I have been having the same problem for over a year. The coolant gauge sometimes marks at the C and then the a/c starts to blow warm air. If this problems stays on long enough the engine light turns on. And then when it wants to the coolant gauge marks correctly then the A/C starts to work properly. I have had the temp gauge changed twice but that IS NOT the problem.
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
JSIERRA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It's me again, so after along time of dealing with this issue finally fed up because Monday it was 95 and hot as heck, and the coolant gauge and a/c wouldnt work. So I had the ECT sensor replaced and the thermostat, which I dont think it was the thermostat because I have had that replaced twice already, but anyhow its working. They didnt read the codes because honestly Ive had the codes read before and that didnt get the problem fixed. I read on another forum about the ECT sensor and thermostat so thats why I had both changed. A/C and gauge are working properly so I am a happy little camper now. For now anyway!
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+18
Friday, March 22nd, 2013 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Best, Ken
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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2016 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
DEESA469
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
I have the same issue. Temp gauge will be working fine then all of a sudden it drops to cold. If its summer the AC will not work if winter the heat will not work. Once the gauge is back to normal when it finally goes back into service the air/heat will work again. Also, after a while of the temp gauge being on cold the check engine light will come on and once the gauge kicks back in service for some time the light will go off. I have had the thermostat changed twice and the EGR? Changed as well. It still happens after some time. Any suggestions of what this might be?
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Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PHISH336
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 133,000 MILES
Got stuck in the snow was trying to get our and my fuel and temp gauges stop working warning lights also any ideas. Thanks
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Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Could be a connectin at the cluster, bad cluster or a bad body control module

Roy
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Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLAND269
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 147,258 MILES
Late last summer, I was backing out of a parking space and ran over a huge concrete block that was covering a tiny hole in the lot. I burst my radiator and also did more unknown damage that caused my gas and temperature gauge to stop working. Also, none of the lights on the dashboard comes on either. I replaced the condenser and radiator but when I tried to get my air recharged it would not go in. I have no idea what to do to fix my car so it will be back to normal.
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Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Heck for blown fuses under hood and damaged wiring due to running over block
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Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EMAN1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 89,000 MILES
Electrical problem
2003 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 89000 miles

my gas and temp gauges stop working. What is the fix
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Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
Test the fuses and connections.
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Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MARGARET STAPLES
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
It happened all of a sudden. Everything was working and went out the next morning to go to store and I noticed I had no gas. Thought someone stole it then realized that there was no heat or anything else.
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-1
Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Check all fuses including the ones under the hood.
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-1
Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MICHAEL REUTER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had the same problem with the heat gauge at zero and the AC not blowing cold air. Replacing the ECT sensor fixed it. I made a how-to video if you're having this problem and want to fix it yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmE-w8SlNis
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Excellent addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out whenever you are on the site :)
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Saturday, April 27th, 2019 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
PULIDO7
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks Michael Reuter, I had same problem, replaced temperature sensor but I forgot to disconnect battery, until I saw your video, it fixed my problem!
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Monday, December 30th, 2019 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 10:37 AM
Tiny
CRISLEANN2002
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
Temp gauge is not working but the rest of gauges are? Is this a sensor or the actual gauge?
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 10:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOMSHANTY
  • MEMBER
  • 34 POSTS
Sounds like either the coolant temp sensor is bad or the gauge. The manual shows the coolant sensor is what the gauge uses as well as the computer. If it is accompanied b the check engine light I would go after the coolant sensor. This vehicle also had issues with corrosion in the connector for the sensor

Its located in the back of the cylinder head
See the diagram below
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 10:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CREENTINC
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 5,000 MILES
My temperature guage went to cold and wont move is this a major problem, problem, or no worry?
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
It can be a big major problem

How would you know when its overheating-better have it checked-its a lot cheaper to buy a temperature switch/wire and the gauge than to have a major disaster with the engine because you cannot tell if its overheating. Bad idea go get it check.
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Tuesday, December 31st, 2019 AT 10:41 AM (Merged)

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