Temp gauge

[jo-jo]

I have a 2003 taco 4 wheel drive and about 30,000 miles on it. For the last couple of months my temp gauge will only go up a little past a 1/4 instaed of half way which it used to do. Does anyone have any suggestions on what might be causing this?

Ant ideas would be great.
jo-jo

[ddnail]

Wow, an 03 with only 30K on it? Cherry

Well, at least the guage is not going the other way.
First thought that comes to mind is the temp sending unit. That would be my first suggestion of things to check.

[jo-jo]

ok i have been unable to find that in my book where would i find it and where would i get one?

[Arb1977]

It maybe a sticking thermostat in the open position.

[kathyricks]

Is your heater slow to put out hot air? If so, then the cooling system thermostat is stuck open and needs to be replaced. After 3-4 miles of driving from a cold start, the heater should be putting out real warm air and the temp gauge should be above the 1/4 mark.

If the engine fan seems to roar more loudly when it used to even after the engine is warmed up, another cause of low temperature gauge readings is a fan clutch (fluid coupling) that is stuck in the engaged position. A new fan clutch would cure that condition.

[LifeTech]

KR is dead on correct in MY opinion. Start there.

[v6er]

Originally Posted by kathyricks

Is your heater slow to put out hot air? If so, then the cooling system thermostat is stuck open and needs to be replaced. After 3-4 miles of driving from a cold start, the heater should be putting out real warm air and the temp gauge should be above the 1/4 mark.

If the engine fan seems to roar more loudly when it used to even after the engine is warmed up, another cause of low temperature gauge readings is a fan clutch (fluid coupling) that is stuck in the engaged position. A new fan clutch would cure that condition.

dito...