The search server is down for some reason so I have to post(although I did search other sites). My car doesn't want to warm up. If it idles, it will warm up to normal temp but it never overheats. But when I drive the temp will go all the way down to the 'c' and the heater output ends up just warm, not like when at idle where it is actually hot. Now if i stop at like a light or something, the car will warm back up, not fast but steady. Whats up with this? Some tell me that since it isn't overheating then be happy but I don't like it as a car has to be a certain temperature to operate proberly. Thanks.

 

Thermostat stuck open.

 

Thats actually what I was thinking but it didn't make sense why it would actually heat up when idleing and hold the temp steady?

 

I would check the thermostat like the guy said

 

yeah, I will. What would 10 bucks hurt, right? Hell I could use a new one anyways. Thanks guys.

 

It would heat up at idle because
1. the radiator fan is not on
2. the car is not moving therefore the cooler air is not coming into the front of the car cooling off the radiator and the engine.

I hear that on alot of older american cars ppl would remove the thermostat altogether.

You heater probably doesn't blow that hot niether, maybe hotter when idleing and cooler when driving.

 

Exactly. I guess I just don't see how the thermostat sticking open would cause it to run so cool when driving. Just kinda uncanny. Oh well, time to go fix it.

 

lets us know if it fixes your problem.