2000 Dodge Neon temperature guage

2000 DODGE NEON
95,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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FIREBOSS2
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My temperature guage goes from normal to zero. The check engine light came on and a ding was heard. The guage goes back to normal and then goes to zero. After a few minutes the guage will jump to high hot and drop to normal. It appears that the cooling system has planty of fluid.
Jun 22, 2010 at 7:51 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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Hi there,

thank you for the donation,

This may just be a faulty sensor, but as the check light is on, i would be getting a scan to see what the set fault code is,tart here and report what you find.

mark (mhpautos)
Jun 22, 2010 at 8:07 PM
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FIREBOSS2
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You may be right. The code is PO117 - Engine coolant temperature sensor 1 circuit low input is what I retrieved from my PocketScan Plus.
Jun 22, 2010 at 8:42 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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OK, i would be replacing the sensor first.

mark (mhpautos)
Jun 23, 2010 at 1:02 AM
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FIREBOSS2
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I replaced the sensor and the problem still exists. The temp guage is "locking" out at zero which causes the fan to cut on. How can I test the wiring?
Jun 26, 2010 at 5:11 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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If you earth out the temp sender wire, the gauge should deflect to full hot, just hold the earth long enough for someone to tell you it moves, it should be instantaneous.

mark (mhpautos)
Jun 27, 2010 at 1:16 AM
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FIREBOSS2
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The wire was grounding out the guage. Replaced the wire and the problem is gone. Thanks.
Jun 27, 2010 at 8:40 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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Great, thank you for using 2carpros, your feedback is always welcome.

mark (mhpautos)
Jun 27, 2010 at 9:19 PM