here is the issue ....

my temp guage now only reads cold even though it should not. i am assuming that it just doesnt work anymore because my check engine light is on, and when i am driving down the road with my a/c going, the car makes a loud thud and jerks when it switches gears (i have an automatic)

so...should i just take it to the nearest autozone and have them hook it up to their computer? or does this need to go straight to the shop before i mess it up any worse?

Seems like they might be related let me explain.

If your thermostat isnt opening, the engine wont reach operating temp. Hence the temp gauge being on low.

If the computer sees that the car has been on for X amount of time, and the air temp outside is X, and it seems that the coolant is X degees it will say WTH something isnt right.

Bang CEL, bet you that code is something like, insufficent coolant temp for clsoed loop operation.

Thats my best guess, get it looked at though.




- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

i've never had to replace the thermostat in my cav so i don't know if its the same procedure or if this is possible...

but, in my old celica i had pretty much the same problem. car always ran at "just started" temp and acted funny when the air was on. i took the thermostat out and put it in a pan of water. brought the water to a boil and the thermostat didn't open up like it should. replaced it and the car ran fine again.





GO PATS!!!