1997 Acura Integra temp gauge fluxuating

LACCANGEL

MEMBER
1997 ACURA INTEGRA
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
200,000 MILES

Living in L.A. CA I was told to take out thermostat a few months back, if helpful. Just recently the temp guage is fluxuating, even on short trips, the water/antifreeze levels are fine, and I notice it worsens when in nutral, rather then in gear, and the water pump appears to be working. Any suggestions?

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi laccangel,

Here is a link on how and why the need for a thermostat. Send the guy who told you to remove the thermostat this link, he is giving the wrong advice.

https://www.2carpros.com/how_does_it_work/how_does_a_thermostat_work.htm

If there is any problem with the cooling system, removing the thermostat is NOT going to solve it. You might delay overheating but it will cause other problems.

When AC is turned ON, the cooling fans would be running and without the thermostat, the temp would read very low. If the cooling fans are not working, the reading would go up.

If the fluctuation is rapid, it could be a bad gauge, poor ground, a faulty sending unit, insufficient coolant in system, partially clogged internals of radiator or external cooling fins.

What is the maximum and minimum reading of the gauge when it fluctuates?
does the gauge goes down when vehicle starts moving?
Are the cooling fans working? Without thermostat and AC operating, the cooling fans would come on later than specified.