My temp gauge usually does not work but if it does it only comes up about 1/8 inch and then goes back to not working. Now that its winter i have noticed the heater is very bad and i was wondering if this would be cause by the thermostat or a bad wiring on the temp gauge? Also my car has a very low idle around 250 rpm when warmed up. Any advice is appreciated thanks!

 

TPS?
Vacuum Lines?
Idle screw off?
Need new throttle cable?

 

I would go ahead and replace your thermostat. If your heater sucks and you know the heater valve is open (you can see it in your engine bay under your intake manifold). This would either be caused by a stuck open thromostat or a plugged heater core. Thermostats are cheap and by seeing your temp gauge never going up that would hint toward a thermostat as well. Your idle issue could be caused by you thermostat as well, but it's unlikely. My guess is you have a couple issues, so change your thermostat and then see what else isn't working and go from there.

 

yeah its the thermostat. i had to replace the thermostat in both my crxs because they were worn out...the thermometer in the cluster would stay down at C even when i'd drive it for hours. replace the thermostat and your heater will blow hot again...sucks to not have heat at this season