Temperature gauge floats around near bottom line?

1999 TOYOTA AVALON
225,000 MILES
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POOR-JOHN
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  • 7 POSTS
car warmed up, runs okay, fluid level in overflow container okay, but engine temperature just above bottom.
Dec 8, 2023 at 12:37 AM
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STRAILER
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 54,189 POSTS
This can happen when the engine cooling system thermostat sticks open, here is how to change it out and see if this is the problem which is likely. Here is a generic guide to help you step by step with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.
Dec 8, 2023 at 1:26 PM
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POOR-JOHN
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  • 7 POSTS
Thanks! This morning the thermostat worked perfectly so I deferred the replacement. Any idea what causes a thermostat to be stuck open and then recover? (i.e. should I consider replacement to be urgent?)
Dec 8, 2023 at 5:21 PM
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STRAILER
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
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If you have the problem again, I would replace the thermostat. They just stick sometimes.
Dec 9, 2023 at 8:57 AM