I was at the dealership yesterday and some guy with a 99 SE just like mine came in and we started talking and out of the blue he asked where does my temp gauge sit while at normal tempature so i said after it gets up to norm temp it sits a little below the half line and stays there to which he says no thats not good mine goes down while driving and goes back up to half only when idling now if iam correct i think my car is running correct and he has the problem but this guy swore he was right so i just want to get someone else's opinion.thanx

 

From what I have come to understand from reading on this board, the temp guage has 3 positions. Low, medium, and high temperature.

 

You're right. He's an idiot. When at normal operating temperature, the needle should be at the halfway mark until you shut it off. It does not dip down when accelerating.

 

Looks like his thermostat does not maintain a stable coolant temperature (stuck open???).

 

BTW, I used to have a jumping temp needle when I floored it. I replaced the oil pressure switch and now it's normal again.

 

Yeah the guy described symptoms of a thermostat that is stuck open.

 

Yeah i knew this guy was wrong but he was one of these know it all's who really knows nothing so i amused him for a little while!