What does it mean when your thermostat is sticking?
A sticking thermostat is a serious problem. If a thermostat is “stuck” that means it is over-cooling or not cooling the engine enough. One sign of this is an erratic temperature gauge where the engine goes up and then down in thermal temperature. An occasional “check engine light” can be another sign of this problem.
What causes a thermostat to stick open?
If something goes awry in your engine, then it’s possible your thermostat can get stuck in the open position. This could be caused by some kind of build-up of debris, grease, dirt, or some kind of corrosion that prevents it from closing properly.
What problems can a stuck open thermostat cause?
Thermostat stuck open: When the thermostat is stuck open, the engine temperature drops below normal when driving, especially on the highway in cold weather. A stuck-open thermostat can also cause lack of heat from the heating system. The Check Engine light may come on too.
Why is my Toyota Camry overheating in winter?
Unfortunately, the thermostat can fail in either the open or closed position. An open thermostat will not allow the car to heat up properly. In winter months, the car may never reach full operating temperature. A stuck closed thermostat will cause overheating issues because the coolant cannot circulate through the engine.
What does the thermostat on a Toyota Camry do?
A thermostat is basically a valve that interrupts the flow of coolant through the engine when the car is cold. This lack of coolant flow allows for the engine to quickly reach operating temperature. As the coolant heats up, the thermostat will open to allow full flow of the coolant through the cooling system.
Can a bad thermostat cause a Toyota to overheat?
The fan switch is bad – The fan switch comes on when the coolant is a set temperature. You can test the switch by disconnecting the wiring harness and using a jumper wire on the contacts. If the fan starts, the switch is bad and needs to be replaced. A symptom of a bad thermostat is an engine that overheats at highway speeds.
What does it mean when your car thermostat is not working?
This is often the first sign that the thermostat is not functioning properly. It means coolant isn’t entering the engine because the thermostat is stuck closed, and your car can suffer engine damage fast.