arbeitm

Today while driving I noticed my temp. gauge was reading at the upper third tick mark and started going past it into the red zone. Usually it sticks near the second mark. While driving the temperature would go down again, but while idling it would seem to run hotter than normal. I checked the fans and they were on so that wasn't the issue.

I drove again a bit later on and noticed that everything seamed normal again. One thing I realized was that earlier I had my rear defroster on. (That couldn't be it!) But just for fun I switched it on and the temperature gauge goes up a bit. Then I try the lights, and it goes up a bit more, then the fog lights, etc. etc.

So what started as an engine issue, seems to be an electrical issue (maybe?) Does this sound like a grounding thing? My voltmeter did seem to read lower than normal today at 12 with a full load on (lights, defroster, high speed fan, radio, etc.). But I think it usually reads around 12 with everything on.

Any thoughts?

83na944

At times, I noticed that the temperature gauge would suddenly drop when the fans came on. I assume that this was caused by lower system voltage because of the current drawn by the fans.

I don't think it's a grounding thing. Probably more likely a battery thing or a voltage regualtor thing.