I don't know if it is just me, but have any of you noticed that on a hot day, your temp gauge will go up to half way, stay there for a bit, and then go back down? My car did this today, I just got a new radiator(and thermostat) put in because it was overheating before. I'm just seeing if anyone else notices this.

 

It shouldnt do that...

U might have some air in the system!(since u changed ur radiator and thermostat recently)

 

Yes it should. That's the thermostat opening and closing. Normal.
Not overheating is not overheating.
Not overheating is good.

 

hm never really looked ill look out for that now

 

The temp gauge shouldn't be fluctuating a large amount, that is abnormal.

 

my temp is AlWAYS half way up.. it never moves after it warms up... iv noticed that on other maximas it sits a little lower than the half way mark...

where does your guys usually stay...

 

Mine's the same, as all other Maximas I've driven/seen - just shy of halfway.

 

mine is always half way up as well right in the middle, so is my brothers maxima.

 

. The gauge stops moving when it reaches operating temp (160*F) and does not move until ~ 210*F, or of course below 16-*F.

So yes that is abnormal for fluctuations with respect to the gauge while driving. The only thing that should be fluctuating like that is your IAT's.

 

Try changing the coolant or get a fully flush drain and refill it is possible the chemicls in the max are wearing down. I did mine and man did feel some quickness come back from my car.

 

If he's already done a radiator change, I'm pretty sure he's taken care of that part.

 

I agree. A large amount would be abnormal.

 

DIVEWJASON, how much does your gauge fluctuate? What kind of driving are you doing, ie in-town or highway?

 

Same here.

just got a max and was wondering about that when I first got it.

 

Mine warms up to a just a bit over halfway, and stays there.

 

mines going up as well even after new rad, t-stat, fans, relays, water pump, coolant flush

 

Mine did something similar before I got a new radiator. The temp gauge went up to about 3/4 and I noticed right away something was wrong. It then dropped down to C a few min later. Inspected the radiator had a crack, possibly was pulling in air like someone mentioned, or just low on coolant?

Changed radiator, temp needle stays just shy of halfway all the time while its warm now, regardless of weather.

 

a little below 1/2 way. on hotter days right at 1/2 way

 

Probably be a good idea to do a pressure test on the cooling system just to verify there aren't any leaks. Also might want to re-bleed the system to get all air out.

S

 

i have noticed that too;
here it goes
my 95 se: it goes up half way to be exact and stays there when fully warm.
my 96 gxe: it goes up but stays a lil below half way mark but sometimes it goes up half way then comes back down.
my 98 gxe: it goes up but stays a lil below halfway mark and never fluctuates...
my 99 se(sold): little below 1/2 way never fluctuated.
my 95 gle(sold): half way to be exact and no fluctuatuation...

so i always thought it was just a 95 maxima's thing..

 

PRESSURE IS HOLDING AND I HAVE A HAD BG COOLING FLUSH TWICE WHICH SHOULD GET ALL THE AIR OUT OF THE SYSTEM , BUT THE NEEDLE STILL GOES WAY HIGH AND ONLY DROPS BACK TO 1/2 WHEN I AM DRIVING OR TURN THE HEAT ON ... NEW: WATER PUMP, T-STAT, OEM RADIATOR, HOSES, TEMP SENSOR, TEMP SENDING UNIT, FANS, AND FAN RLAYS...I KNOW THE AT 1/2 MONITORING THE MODIS IM AT AROUND 192 DEGREES F and then when i stop (red light,Idle) needle goes to the black mark for H with the fan on low and then reads almost red mark on top of H around 215-225 degrees F then starts to drop to 3/4 when the fan clicks on high but only drops to around 205-210 but thats still high on the gauge. i have also done compression testing on all cylinders and found no leaks and even though its hot i pass the state emissions test on the dyno even with a whole in cat right behind the rear O2 sensor

 

Hate to restart an old thread, but my temp gage is fluxuating when I'm driving. It's gone from 1/2 way (normal operating temp) to stone cold all while on the highway. I'm thinking it's the thermostat. Any suggestions as to how to test it? I have a '98 SE with 164k and LOVE LOVE LOVE the car!

 

haha maxima million... i have the same problem and it started kicking in when it got really cold this past friday... only my thermostat only goes up 1/4 way... then highway driving, it'll drop down to 1/8 way... any ideas? 1997 GXE w/ 161k miles.

 

Start by replacing the thermostat. I would personally be more concerned if it was overheating. If you happen to get the autozone thermostat you will see your temps fluctuate like mine did when I initially started the thread.

This thread reminds me of how new I was to cars when I bought my Maxima. I miss that car.

 

you would hope??

 

Divewjason - I hear ya, I miss my '70 Cutlass Convertible ;-(

anyone out there suggest OEM vs. aftermarket thermostat? I was also going to change my upper/lower radiator hoses while I'm at it too!

 

Glad i seen this thread...i just got a 98 maxima used and the temp gauge was concerning me . It was little bit below halfway on my first drive back on the freeway whcih left me very concerned!