Intermittent temperature guage on 2.0L

[terrybull]

Sometimes the guage sits at 11 o'clock, then drops to nothing and returns later, other times nothing at all, presumably a bad earth somewhere, any ideas where to start probably help to say its a June 99 model (doh)

[g8dhe]

In the versions prior to June 1999 the thermistor in the engine block simply connects direct to the gauge on the dashboard, nothing else between. The thermistor is earthed via its screw into the engine block and a single wire back to the gauge - NO promise that its the same in later versions but why make it more complicated .... ?

Click above for more details etc.

[sdsk]

A quote from an importer in the Worcester area:

"2.0l engines, We replace temperature senders on many , however even new units have a fail rate, which is annoying.
Should a 2.0l wobble from normal position , again this is a sign of a re-bleed needed.

However the 2.0l are prone to what we call dormant state, ie the temp gauge just drops to zero mark and hovers between zero and a quarter, this can be either thermostat sticking common or the temp sender fail. This is ok to drive usually."

[missfixit70]

If it is the stat, I'd change it asap.