My 89 SE heat guage acts up all the time. The needle goes all the way up into the overheating zone and then just drops down. If I tap on the guage cover it will also fall back into normal range. Is this a common problem since my car is not overheating. If so, what is the repair?

Thanks
Ken

 

well you can try replacing the gauge temp sensor it maybe bad..the gauge inside the car maybe bad might have to get a whole new cluster assymbly.not sure if you can just replace the temp gauge or not..

 

Wouldn't hurt to check your coolant level. the sensor for that is in the very top of the engine, so if you're low on coolant, it can do stuff like that.
If it's actually in your gauge, I have no clue there.. probably be bext to buy a gauge cluster from a junkyard and swap the gauge/odometer.

 

You could have an air pocket somewhere in the radiator hoses or something..this causes the gauge to act funny. I know this, mine did it until I had to loosen the hose and let it flow a bit, then it was fine.