RomeoEJ wrote:
General question how hard is it to replace there thermostat? It appears mine is not working (on my dashboard) but then my digital Scan Gauge indicates water temperature within range. I am concerned my thermostat is not allowing coolant through the engine. Any thoughts?
It looks like i got to take off the belts and the fan to get to the thermostat location. I am wondering if anyone has suggestion or i am just thinking it is harder then it actually is.
I found the following install guide online, but it seems generally correct.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5682192_replace-thermostat-xterra.htmlThe thermostat, or the temperature sensor?
The dash gauge uses a sensor near the thermostat, and, they can go bad. The OBD port uses a different, more reliable sensor.
If the OBD port says the temp is OK, and the dash says you're hot, the dash is probably the one lying to you.
I just changed my thermostat, but, chances are, yours is fine...and your dash's temp sensor is the part you need to swap.
IE: The thermostat just opens and closes, and doesn't talk to the dash...the dash only sees a temp...sent by the sensor.
If the OBD says the temp is ok, you are not over heating, and the thermostat could be hunky dory.
THIS is most likely all you'd need to get at.
Check the spade connector on the temp sensor as they are known to come loose and cause this issue. It is the one with the blue arrow in the pic, grab it and see if the spade connector wants to spin on the center rivet that holds it in.
The blue arrow is the gauge temp sender, the red arrow is the ECU temp sender. ECU is a different design and generally does not fail and will not effect the gauge. The gauge sender works itself loose under braking and acceleration and starts to give erratic signals.
Should be a $10.00 part at any auto parts store and I'd start there. Start the engine and bring it up to temp. Once there have someone watch the gauge while you try and wiggle it a bit to see what the gauge does.