Question about engine temp

[GiftedPlacebo]

Hi all, new to the boards. I picked up a 2002 Montana last weekend, and had a question about the engine temp. This is the first GM car I've ever owned, so I'm not sure if this is normal or not... The engine temp gauge fluctuates between 2 ticks below and 2 ticks above the half way line. As soon as it gets 2 ticks above center, it corrects and drops down. I've never had a vehicle that fluctuated like that... normal?

I'm going to do a flush this weekend (time permitting) partly just to bleed it to make sure there are no air bubbles. Fans are coming on, and it never goes higher than 2 ticks above half...

Thanks!

 

[terrehautian]

My Malibu did that and it was normal, as for the Montana, same engine indesign, so maybe so.

 

[Steelcity]

Welcome to the forum ,yes that is normal and that's where my fans come on also at 2 clicks above half way then drop .I believe what's going on here is the temp unit(gauge and sensor)is very sensitive or better yet programed/designed that way.In all vehicles with cooling fans,the temp rises to certain point to trigger the fans on and then the temp begins to drop once it reaches it set low point the fans shut off (in our case 2 clicks below half).It just that you can see this process via the temp gauge.For some reason you can really notice this also after a few cycles and hotter weather it will be less noticeable and probably more stable.Did I answer your question ?

 

[GiftedPlacebo]

Thanks for the quick replies

Yes, that makes me feel a lot better! I'm used to my Mazda which stays RIGHT at half way. The fans cycle on and off a lot though.

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[terrehautian]

My Jeep stays just a tick below 1/2. At one point, my thermostat was stuck open and it was 1/2 way between the lowest tick and 1/2. Was great until I wanted heat.

 

[planenut_2000]

Thats normal operation. The temp sensor is located right next to the thermostat.