Questionwhat does it mean when the check gauge light comes on and the temp gauge goes up and down when the check gauge light comes on
AnswerIm not exactly sure, it sounds like your engine could be overheating but it could also mean something with your thermostat. Have you had your radatior flushed, and everything reverse flushed to rid the engine of all the old coolant? If you have not, you can either go to an auto repair shop that will do that for you, or you can go to a local walmart and in the automotive section, you should find a reverse flushing kit, it comes with everything ou need to reverse flush your truck. I think it costs about 20$. Make sure you refill your radiator with the proper mix of Anti Freeze and Distilled water. If that doesnt work, then you should test your thermostat to see whether or not you need to replace it. I have listed the steps below.
1. Fill test container with 50% water 50% coolant concentrate.
(minimum 2 litres)
2. Manually open the thermostat sufficiently to insert a fine thread under
the valve seat.
3. Suspend thermostat by the thread in the container. The thermostat
must be fully submerged and not touch the bottom or sides of the
container.
4. Heat the liquid slowly to activate the power element properly. Agitation
of the test fluid is required for accurate results.
5. Place a thermometer into the coolant so that the bulb is adjacent to the
thermostat temperature sensing pill.
6. Observe the thermometer and note the temperature at once when the
thermostat drops from the thread. This reading is the approximate start to
open temperature of the thermostat.
7. The thermostat should be replaced if it opens at a temperature more
than 60C below or 30C above the specified opening
temperature. The temperature should be increased and the thermostat
observed to make sure it fully opens. The thermostat should be fully open
at a coolant temperature approximately 120C above the specified
opening temperature.
8. When cool carefully examine the thermostat valve to make certain it is
properly seated. If it does not seat properly, it should be replaced. It is
important the replacement thermostat be of similar design with the proper
start to open temperature specifications.
http://www.are.com.au/feat/techt/thermostat.htm
or if you just wanna skip that step you can just replace your thermostat, how to do that is stated on http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/141119/your_vehicle_engine_thermostat.h... that page, or theres this page, with more detailed information on what components are in a cooling system. Good luck I hope you fix your problem. If none of this works you should take it to a auto repair shop that specializes in radiators, and tell them what is going on and what you have already fixed/replaced and done. Then theres a possibility that they will connect an OBDII(2) scanner up to your vehilce while its running to determine why the PCM is telling the check gauge light to come on. Then they should be able to fix your problem, If you wanna save the time you should just do this, that way if its not fixed after theyve said they fixed it you can go back and tell them its still doing the same thing. Good luck.
