2005 Civic DX, 324k miles.

Note that I do not believe the temp gauge is the problem, only the visible sign. I can’t tell the temp of my car, which is a problem as I just replaced the bad radiator and thermostat a couple weeks back after severe overheating!

Replaced radiator (it was cracked): car still overheating and temp gauge still working (most of the time). Next I replaced the thermostat and the car began cooling appropriately and the temp gauge worked until I got gas a few minutes later. When I stopped to get gas and then started the vehicle again, the temp gauge never made it past “C”, eventually falling down way below “C”. Note the vehicle was not actually running cold - it was some issue with the sensor. I had the sensor replaced and it made it 200 or so miles then the sensor, or a relay, or something, caused the temp gauge to, once again, not show any response whatsoever and the gauge now stays BELOW “C”.

After the guy replaced it, he said the oil leaking from the engine could cause it to fail again, or that it may have failed because of a burnt relay or something (when he told me this I had been up for 24 hours and I had to stay up longer than that so it isn’t a real vivid memory).

The vehicle is NOT running cold. I just can’t tell what it is running in case it overheats again (who knows at this point).

Could someone please point me in the direction of how to determine if it is a relay (or fuse? I am under the impression that if it is a bad fuse the whole instrument panel would be out?) or if the sensor is somehow being damaged by a slight oil leak?

 

I learned that the problem is only intermittent as it made an 84 mile trip perfectly, telling the temp the whole way. The day before, however, it wasn’t working at all. I’m just completely stumped.