Ok so my temperature gauge never moves off the cold side. Also, I'm pretty sure my radiator fan never kick on. But anyways, the lower radiator hose would be warm instead of hot and idle would pulse. And so I replaced the thermostat. Now the lower radiator hose would get hot and idles fine. So I think that helped. But the temp needle still won't move and fan still doesn't kick on. I swapped cluster, and the needle on one that didn't move also. I think I bleed it correctly and the heater blows out pretty hot air. Could it be a sensor? And I did searched.

 

is the upper rad hose hot? thats were you check for a bad theromostat. but since you already replaced it it sounds like maybe a bad coolant temp sensor or something. you fan shouldnt have to run unless its hot out and your not moving. mine will only kick on at the taco bell drive thru when its 80 degrees out.

 

Yeah, before I replaced the thermostat, the upper hose would be hot and the lower one would only be warm. And yeah, the fan wouldn't kick on. Like I would let it sit and idle for 30 mins or so to see if it would kick on, but it never did. The coolant temp sensor, it's on the thermostat housing right? And would it throw a cel code if it was bad? But it's not.

 

x2 on checking the coolant temp sensor

 

if your temp needle don't work change the temp sending unit is located under the dizzy that small sensor with single wire on it....

 

coolant temp sensor

X3

It is on your block right under your distributor and has a connecting plug on it.
Swap it out and see what happens.

 

I never knew what that sensor was for. Thanks wangkata, that would be the problem!

 

can you report back to us? My car does the same thing.

 

Look up a post. Lol. It was the temp sending unit or whatever. The small sensor that's under the dizzy with one wire connected to the plug.