engine temp problem

[Vengeance]

i have been having this problem ( at least i think its a problem ) when i drive my car it seems like it take forever to warm up, i work about 20min away from my house, and by the time i get to work the temp sensor gauge is barely in the "normal" section of the gauge, i really wish for used numbers instead of that stupid "normal" section but whatever.

is it possible i have a bad thermostat, maybe its stuck open? anyone have any ideas

ALSO for the first 5min or so of my commute, the car sputters around 2800+rpm, but once it warms up its fine.

thank you

 

[toyman]

One of four likely things.
1. T-stat stuck open. Is the top hose firm from startup? If it is the T-stat is open when cold.
2. Bad dash sending unit. They are cheap, just replace it.
3. Bad instrument cluster ground. Just check if the above two don't fix the problem.
4. Bad gauge. Replace gauge in none of the above fixed the issue.

 

[Vengeance]

I will give thoes a check, I believe I felt it before when it was cold and it was hard, but I will double check. Thanks man! Do you know what might cause the sputtering when cold.

 

[Vengeance]

OK so it was squishy when cold so I guess that's not it, I will check the others now

 

[toyman]

OK so it was squishy when cold so I guess that's not it, I will check the others now

That's with the engine running, right! Is the hose hard when warm? It would be nice to know what the actual temps are. Do you have access to an infrared temperature sensor?

See if cleaning the MAF sensor helps with the sputter.

 

[RichV]

Simple way to check... If your heater makes good heat, probably a gauge issue. If heat feels lukewarm, most likely the thermostat is stuck open, or it does not have one. I have only had tstats stick closed, never open.

 

[hottwheels04]

wheres the instrument cluster ground wire located?

 

[Vengeance]

thank you guys for helping.

yes that was with the car running.

it did get hard after it was warmed up,.

one the engine is warmed up the heater blasts super hot, so i guess its not a t stat problem, unless the previous owner installed a cooler temp sensor like a 160 or 170 degree t stat.

i looked at my maf before and it is spotless but i haven't taken it apart, i was thinking about cleaning it anyway as well as the tps.

and i also would like to know where the cluster ground is

thank you so much guy really appreciate all the help