2000 Chevy Tahoe Fluctuating temp gauge

2000 CHEVROLET TAHOE
137,500 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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ACKOENIGER
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  • 3 POSTS
I recently had a problem of my temperature gauge fluctuating wildly, sometimes getting into the red zone, prompting the Check Gauges light to come on. After I took it in, the mechanic said I had a crack in my radiator and the fan clutch was bad, so both of those items were replaced. That was about two or three months ago. About a week ago, the gauge started fluctuating just as wildly and consistently as it did before I had the work done. What does this indicate? Thank you very much for your help.
Nov 6, 2008 at 4:54 AM
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RASMATAZ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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Have the coolant temperature sensor and thermostat tested-

The thermostat controls the engine temperature and the CTS reads it and sends it to the gauge and to the computer for other purpose-
Nov 6, 2008 at 5:01 AM
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JAMES W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 2,394 POSTS
When the gauge goes into the "red" zone, is it actually over heating (boiling)? My first suspect would be the engine temp sensor located on the thermostat housing. It could be a bad temp gauge, but that is extremly rare.
Nov 6, 2008 at 5:03 AM
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ACKOENIGER
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Only once did the vehicle actually overheat. It's been in the red zone and the Check Gauges light has come on scores of times. So there doesn't seem to be a real clear correlation between the temperature gauge reading high and the car overheating. Or at least not one that's at all consistent.
Nov 6, 2008 at 5:07 AM
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RASMATAZ
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Check Gauges light

Are you refering this as the check engine light ?
Nov 6, 2008 at 5:15 AM
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ACKOENIGER
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No, the light says "Check Gauges"...that's what made me think intiially that my gauge was bad, because I'd heard about gauges on Tahoes going bad before. Usually the gas gauge in what I had heard, but I figured the temp gauge could go bad, too. But it definitely says "Check Gauges" and not "Service Engine Soon," which is what the other light says.
Nov 6, 2008 at 5:21 AM
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RASMATAZ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 75,988 POSTS
Could be the gauge itself or a wiring problem with it- You need to have the CTS and thermostat checked out and get back ASAP
Nov 6, 2008 at 5:30 AM
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