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Faulty Thermostat/Temp Sensor?

AccordSteve

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Location
Scotland
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Accord 1.8 SE VTEC
Hi all, noticed yesterday after I got my new 4" stainless exhaust fitted (probably just coincidental) that my temp gauge isn't playing ball :p

Also noticed probably because i'm listening harder that there's a sound of rushing/gushing water when I rev occasionally.

Anyway I drove 11 miles to work on the motorway and the temp gauge had barely moved, sat about 1/4 of the way, heaters are blowing hot, fine as far as I remember haha.

In town it creeps to just under halfway but as soon as I hit an A road or motorway it pretty much falls to zero again.

Any thoughts?

Much appreciated Steve :)
 
I would say that your thermostat died in the opened position. It's quite easy to replace!
 
You think? I mean the car still heats up at the usual rate, and the heaters work fine after a few minutes, just the gauge being weird :)
 
If when stuck on traffic the temperature goes up, and when driving on open road the temperature goes down, I am 99% sure it's the thermostat that is stuck open. If it was my car, I would just replace it.
Mine died in the opposite way, it got stuck closed...

If you are not sure, you can easily test it, remove it, and see if it's open or closed. Then put it in a pan with water and heat it up in the stove. If it's working ok, it should start closed, and open before the water starts to boil..
 
Also, do you have an OBD2 socket and an OBD2 scanner? If so, you can use it to check the coolant temperature. Our cars have 2 coolant sensor temperature, one to feed the engine temperature gauge, and another that is used by the ECU to manage the engine. These are completely independent, and if I am not wrong, the OBD2 scanner will show the temperature from the sensor used to manage the engine, not the one used by the temperature gauge.
 
Nah no OBD on mine buddy, 1999 :p

Ill get it replaced anyway shouldn't be too expensive :). ill let you know the outcome when I get it done haha
 
Mine is 1999 and has OBD2, have you checked?
 
Hmm odd, wonder why some have it? Perhaps its related to engine and spec level, mine is 2.0, my dad old one also a 1999 model 2.0 had obd2.
 
exec said:
Hmm odd, wonder why some have it? Perhaps its related to engine and spec level, mine is 2.0, my dad old one also a 1999 model 2.0 had obd2.
I guess it's pure luck.
Mine is a 1.8 without OBD port, but I know other cars with the same engine and from the same year with the OBD port...
 
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