Temperature gauge

2003 NISSAN ALTIMA
174,000 MILES • 3.5L • 6 CYL • AUTOMATIC
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PAMELA HARRIS2
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  • 6 POSTS
As soon as I start the car the temperature gauge goes to the middle and stays there even when cold. is that normal?
Jun 6, 2019 at 2:05 PM
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DANNY L
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Hello, I'm Danny.

Quick question first. Do you mean car has been sitting,not driven, for overnight or days and the engine is cold you start the car and needle jumps straight to the middle?Hope to hear back from you soon and thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
Jun 6, 2019 at 2:57 PM
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PAMELA HARRIS2
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  • 6 POSTS
Yes.
Jun 6, 2019 at 3:33 PM
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DANNY L
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

No, that is not normal.They first thing I would have checked or replaced is the coolant temperature sensor.Here are a few tutorials showing what is involved for its function and replacement:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-coolant-temperature-sensor-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-coolant-temperature-sensor

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-temperature-sensor-cts-replacement

I've attached a picture below showing its location under the hood on the engine.Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
Jun 6, 2019 at 3:54 PM