Temperature gauge suddenly stopped working

CHER GOULET

MEMBER
2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
3.8L
V6
FWD
AUTOMATIC
147,000 MILES

Temperature gauge suddenly stopped working on commute home. Gauge moves slightly when car is started, but does not move after that. Fan squealed when car was started a couple of times before this happened, and each time I had to turn the car off and back on three times before it stopped. Fan also continues to run for a few minutes after the car is turned off. Sensor in the radiator went a few years ago, but due to the age of the car, it was not worth replacing the radiator to fix it. I keep an eye on engine Temperature gauge daily, and regularly check coolant reservoir. Engine has not been overheating at all.

first question, how do I get this fixed?

second question, can I still drive the car to work and home (110 km) until I can arrange to drop it off at a mechanic? Kind of need to be at work tomorrow, so I am sort of up the creek.

1 Reply

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

That should have a single belt on that engine most likely you have a failing serpentine belt tensor. If it's stealing that much the belt tensor could fail at anytime and leave you stranded or cause a overheating condition. The coolant temp sensor should be screwed into engine in that engine not the radiator. Sounds like a bad coolant temp sensor or a rodent might have chewed the wires etc. You wouldn't know if the engine was overheating with the temp gauge inop while you were driving.