[druid-2]

History:

Problem started last Fall. Coolant Temp would Fluctuate wildly: one minute at 185..then drop to 140...go to 160...never stable.... Then the Coolant would register no temp (i.e. ---F) and the A/C would cut out because it couldn't read a coolant temp.

Took car into my local GM dealership (where I bought the car in Nov. 05...and they do ALL my work)...They said I needed a new thermostat...so at 66K miles they put a new one in at a cost of about $300.00. The car isn't used in the winter, so this May I started back up again and everything was working fine.
A month ago on my way back from Raleigh the DIC went squirrelly again.
(Note...all other functions on the DIC work fine) Started throwing wild temps, then the ---F. Back to dealership.... diagnosis...needs a new cluster.
Cluster was put in Monday ($400.00) ...car mileage 69,400....3400 miles since themostat replaced. Took the car out today...3 days later...for the first time and it is back to the same thing....---F and no A/C. Getting very frustrated having recurring problem and no A/C on a very muggy day.

***********************

Q1.....anyone else ever experience this?
Q2......if not thermostat or cluster what is the problem.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BellaVerde]

I'll make the guess that it's in the wiring/connections. That fixed-then-not-fixed sounds like a bad connection. The computer gets good data for a while after repair then "something" happens and the comp defaults. I would hand check for looseness first and eye check for burnt spots in the visible wiring. I'm sure others here will be able to hit the cause dead center. Save your existing receipts, you've obviously been mis-diagnosed.

 

[Jackknife]

I'd look at the sending unit (or its wiring).

 

[druid-2]

apparently this issue has been addressed in the past...

thanks to "stuck" for sending the link

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f12/intermittent-coolant-sensor-issue-51193/

 

[PATIOTRAY]

The wildly fluctuating temps suggest you need a new temp sensor. Dealers usually replace both the t-stat and the sensor when the DIC goes blank, to ensure no comebacks (and greater profit). I'm battling this issue for the third time. If I can't get GM to cover it the car goes up for sale. I love it but I've had enough of all the poor engineering. My 25 year old Toyota MR2 SC has had fewer problems than this car has had in just 5 years.

 

[MidniteBlues]

You might not like this, but it happens. How about that the t-stat replaced failed, even new ones can get defective and not working properly as it gets stressed out over time. Also, make sure that the place you went to replace it the first time that they MUST use an OEM T stat, 3rd party ones will not work and are prone to failures, just like the water pumps.. We had a thread on the sky forum on this awhile back, it ended up being the t-stat, it was on a NA BTW...

 

[druid-2]

after a new sensor was installed and a 750 mile road trip to Ontario
I am pleased to announce...no problems occurred..