I just bought a 97 accord lx 2.2 non vtech. Auto trans, all seems well. temp. gauge is come and go ? never shows hot, but once it droped to ice cold reading ? Anyway 190k miles, trans seems to shift good. and it is very smooth on the interstate, thats where it will be driven. I have had it for 2 days, Yes 2 days. I bought a 6 month/ 6000 mile warrenty. I am a mechanic from the 70s and 80s, but need to check the timing belt as soon as the weather gets warmer here in Indiana. Thanks for any imput. Steve

 

Check coolant level in the radiator. If it is low, top it off and you may have to purge any air pockets out.

Also, most Honda temperature gauges for normal operating condition only show the needle at around 1/4 to 1/3 (it is usually below the 1/2 mark and stays steady).

If the above are not it, it may be thermostat or the ECT sending wire or connection. Many of the Honda thermostats will fail in an open position.

 

Does the temperature gauge stay at one temperature? Does is drop when you hit the gas pedal and/or start moving?

 

Its only done it once and I cannot remember, the heater stayed pretty warm. But the gauge droped to the cold start position. (Ice cold) It was 12 degrees that night, too. It was driven 40 miles on the interstate then 3 miles on a 2 lane when it happened. sounds like a connection, or loss of signal from sender ?

Red bull the gauge runs at 1/3 all the time when warmed , it just dropped one night ?

 

It could be a fluke. When/if your coolant is due for a change,I would also change the thermostat. Get the thermostat from the Honda dealership.

 

my car started doing that, then it got worse. my connection in the dashboard has wiggled loose.

 

Thanks honda chic, that sounds more like the culpret