Technical Temperature gauge, sensor or thermostat?

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Technical Temperature gauge, sensor or thermostat?

kangaroo1

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Looking for help! A bit longwinded, but here's a summary of the situation:

I've had the car for about 3 years. Originally the temp gauge would always rise to the 1/2 mark (in a normal time period) and stay there, no matter what! About 6-8 months ago it changed to climbing to 1/2, then it would drop a notch then creep back up to half, but fluctuate a couple of times between the 1/2 mark & 1 notch below, before settling on the 1/2 and staying there. About a month ago the fluctuation became a little bit more, about 2 notches, but again always settling on 1/2 (never going above!) after a few minutes.

I have also had some air trapped (a slight slushing noise behind glove compartment when accelerating!), which despite about 5 attempts I've never really managed to bleed out completely.

This morning, after driving about 2 miles the temp gauge hadn't moved at all, then suddenly shot up to about 1/3 then dropped a couple of notches then back up, then crept up to 1/2 & stayed there. This evening it did the same. All through this, the fan always works ok & the temp gauge has never gone up above 1/2 & heating always works, the car drives ok, MPG is consistent (around 47-50MPG), there's no coolant loss, no mayonnaise.....

May not be relevant, but I have also had some air trapped (hearing a slight slushing noise behind glove compartment when accelerating!), which despite about 5 attempts I've never really managed to bleed out completely!

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated... especially if it's a simple, inexpensive fix!! :):)
 
Have you checked the wiper scuttle for water. The plastic drain hoses block regularly and will lead to a sloshing sound. Air in the coolant system is more generally a gurgling sound in the heater area at start up.
The temp gauge behaviour sounds electrical. Check the plug and the wiring and replace the sensor if that doesn't achieve anything.
 
Hr t tell if it's a temperature sensor or thermostat. The "gauge" is highly unlikely to cause this type of issue.

What engine do you have?
The sensor is cheap and easy on most cars so that would be the first thing to change. One exception to this is if you are due a cambelt change it which case a belt kit, water pump, thermostat (and sensor, on some engines they come with the thermostat) and coolant change might be the lowest cost in the long run.


Robert G8RPI.
 
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I've had this several times on cars and it has always been the temperature sensor.

When thermostats go faulty, they don't tend to open and close repeatedly, they just stop working and stick in one position, usually causing overheating or overcooling.

A new sensor is only going to be a few quid, you could always change the stat at the same time just to cover yourself, neither item is expensive
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys! I've tried to get a hold of a temperature sensor today, but I've been told by 2 places (independent car parts shop & Halfords) that this is a main dealer part? I did find a few places on line, but when I entered my car's details they all showed different ones! And we have a real shortage of breakers around here these days! So, can anyone recommend a good online supplier? In the meantime I'll check out all the electrics (connectors, wiring) tomorrow and maybe consider putting it into my local independent garage on Monday... they're pretty reliable & I do get mates rates!
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys! I've tried to get a hold of a temperature sensor today, but I've been told by 2 places (independent car parts shop & Halfords) that this is a main dealer part? I did find a few places on line, but when I entered my car's details they all showed different ones! And we have a real shortage of breakers around here these days! So, can anyone recommend a good online supplier? In the meantime I'll check out all the electrics (connectors, wiring) tomorrow and maybe consider putting it into my local independent garage on Monday... they're pretty reliable & I do get mates rates!


Hi,
Try GSF https://www.gsfcarparts.com/
They also sell on ebay
http://www.ebaystores.co.uk/gsfcarparts


Robert G8RPI.
 
Seconded, I almost always use GSF for parts and they are extremely good, always seem to have in stock what I need but on the rare occasion they haven't, they actually managed to get it in the same day.
 
Failing that - therr is always shop4parts which deliver to your door (posted)


There are 2 types iirc
The look almost identical

Some have a screw into housing sensor ehcih is alot easier to change
Or when i changed one due to a seal leaking
It was sunked in and you couldnt get to it easily

Have a good look at yours as screw im types alot easier to sort

Please note - puntos are swines to bleed
So.if yiu have swilling water noises in dashboard - air is still trapped

Ziggy


Ziggy
 
Update: Once again, thanks for all the feedback guys... after I bled the system again, the temp gauge seemed to work ok and was rising to the mid mark like it should, but then I started losing around 200-300ml of coolant a day (25-30 miles) but could not fathom where it was going.... no oil in it, no mayo under the oil cap, no overheating, but a little bit of moisture coming from the exhaust! So, I took my Punto to the garage last week and they confirmed my very worst fears, the head gasket has gone! Even they were surprised, as it only had 34K on the clock... So, sadly, it is no more... I was able to get £200 from a dealer for it, against another car, but this time it's a Toyota Aygo...

So, I guess I'll be leaving the forum. Thanks again to everyone for their help... it's a great forum! So much information & advice to hand and so many tips! And thanks Ziggy122! When I've asked for help, you've come through.... even used your video for replacing my radio head unit a couple of months ago!

All the very best guys!
 
Where "exact" is the water temperature sensor on FIAT Punto 60 1.2 location (2004):eek:
 
Facing the motor follow the water hose from the top right side of the radiator to underneath the rear coil pack. Beside the hose you will find a two wire plug for the sensor, usually green.
 
Where "exact" is the water temperature sensor on FIAT Punto 60 1.2 location (2004):eek:
The green thing left to the red circle is the temperature sensor.
hc591gombc3a1nc3a1l.jpg
 
Hi folks, I know this thread is a bit old now.
I suspect my temperature sensor has gone bad, as well as the thermostat! But I thought I'd fix one thing first.
Emc code was p0116 (I think) and I know where the temperature sensor lives, but there are two different parts that fit. Obviously I would need the more expensive one but was just wondering, can the sensor just be removed? And new one screwd in? Attached picture if it help. Only asking as one part is about£10 the other near £40 with discount code! It would be a bigger if th plastic around those sensors are just brittle.
 

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Yep sensor literally unscrews, screw the new one back on, attach the clip and you're good to go.


Hi folks, I know this thread is a bit old now.
I suspect my temperature sensor has gone bad, as well as the thermostat! But I thought I'd fix one thing first.
Emc code was p0116 (I think) and I know where the temperature sensor lives, but there are two different parts that fit. Obviously I would need the more expensive one but was just wondering, can the sensor just be removed? And new one screwd in? Attached picture if it help. Only asking as one part is about£10 the other near £40 with discount code! It would be a bigger if th plastic around those sensors are just brittle.
 
Hi folks, I know this thread is a bit old now.
I suspect my temperature sensor has gone bad, as well as the thermostat! But I thought I'd fix one thing first.
Emc code was p0116 (I think) and I know where the temperature sensor lives, but there are two different parts that fit. Obviously I would need the more expensive one but was just wondering, can the sensor just be removed? And new one screwd in? Attached picture if it help. Only asking as one part is about£10 the other near £40 with discount code! It would be a bigger if th plastic around those sensors are just brittle.

It is not obvious from your photo but I believe you have the sensor where you need to buy part of the inlet manifold with the sensor built into it. The other type of sensor is fitted to 16V cars. Yours is 188 dynamic like mine but I think you have an 8V manifold?


That nut is partly recessed and you cannot unscrew it I believe.

The good news is you can loosen the bolts near the sensor and knock the plastic downwards to replace that part of the manifold without removing the entire inlet manifold
 

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