Car seems to be running to cool

[ram360]

After driving for 45min the temp gauge is only over the "A" in Normal. I can't remember the car running this cool before. Shouldn't it be higher than this? I'm thinking the t-stat went and is stuck open not letting the car heat up.

 

[Michael Yount]

If the gauge is reading accurately, I agree with your diagnosis - stuck open t'stat is the first place I'd look.

 

[fiveohh94gt]

OK, maybe i read that wrong but the stock temp guage on my car usually stays around the "O" in normal and never gets close to the "A"

 

[SmockDoiley]

Doesnt the gauge sweep from left to right and the letters "normal" go from left to right. Maybe I'm confused but "A" would almost seem like an overheating problem.

 

[Michael Yount]

The issue isn't what anyone remembers about the reading, or actually where the needle is pointing. The issue is that with a factory gauge you don't really know what the temperature is. You need a calibrated gauge that will actually tell you an accurate temperature before you start trouble shooting - or before you even really know if there is trouble - if there are no symptoms other than the factory gauge reading. It could simply be a bad sending unit - until you get accurate temperature data, you're just guessing.

 

[ram360]

Doesnt the gauge sweep from left to right and the letters "normal" go from left to right. Maybe I'm confused but "A" would almost seem like an overheating problem.

Mine has normal sweeping top to bottom It's an 88GT. The "L" in normal is practically an ice cold engine. Might be different on the newer cars.