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2004 2.4L Tacoma Bouncy/Faulty Temp Gauge

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by bmh004, Nov 1, 2024.

  1. Nov 1, 2024 at 1:11 PM
    #1
    bmh004

    bmh004 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2021
    Member:
    #385965
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brandon
    Vehicle:
    2004 Toyota Tacoma
    Topper; sleeping platform
    As the title states, the temp gauge in my 2004 2.4L Taco likes to dance. Never swings drastically from hot to cold but just sort of starts bouncing with about 10 degrees of play in it. Started about a month ago on a trip to the mountains. Just sitting in the middle and bouncing off and on. Now it's slowly starting to point further north while bouncing, slowly creeping more and more to the red.
    Thought maybe the coolant wasn't properly burped after being serviced and the elevation change going from sea level to 6000'+ might be doing it. Wasn't it. Thought maybe the temperature sensor was going out. Replaced it. Wasn't it. Snap in connector going into the temperature sensor wasn't very snappy anymore so I had that replaced. Wasn't it. Pulled out the cluster to make sure the bolts on the back of the gauge itself weren't loose or corroded as I read that was common. Wasn't it.
    At this point I'm almost 99% sure that it's just a bad wire somewhere in the line. It can start doing it and I'll pull over, pop the hood, wiggle the cluster of wiring going from the temperature sensor up and it'll stop bouncing and level right back out and be fine for a bit before it starts bouncing again. Or just be driving and hit a bump right and it'll kick off for a bit. Really is very touchy/temperamental like you'd expect a bad connection to be.
    Should I just install an after market gauge system at this point? Maybe go ahead and cover my bases and get one that covers everything just in case everything else should start going out as well? She did turn 20 this year. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Nov 1, 2024 at 4:39 PM
    #2
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2023
    Member:
    #429578
    Messages:
    3,617
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Sugar Land TX
    Vehicle:
    1996 Taco 2.4L 2wd Automatic
    Clock Volt meter/LSPV Delete/Hyundai 16’s/FP gauge/after 9months of wrenching ZERO oil leaks
    I installed an inline upr rad hose temp sensor……..incorrectly

    when pwr on Autometer gauge pegged

    after some discussions with race friends/forums…..I connected the signal/pwr wires…..but did not have a ground connection

    after draining coolant for the 3rd freaking time, ran a ground…..perfect.

    I would check ground
    Could be gauge….. but my money is on ground (especially bc of the signal when driving over bumps as u stated)
    GL
    Let everyone know
     
  3. Nov 1, 2024 at 7:11 PM
    #3
    fireturk41

    fireturk41 I like to break shit!

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2008
    Member:
    #11857
    Messages:
    4,952
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kevin
    High Point, NC
    Vehicle:
    280k miles
    SAS, Locked front rear, Ufab sliders and bumpers, air compressor, 35" BFG KM2 on steelies and 36" TSLs
    Mine bounces, i traced mine to a pinched wire, it was easier for me to buy a scanguage2 and monitor my temp than it was to unpinch the wire
     

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