Temperature gauge doesn't work anymore

I have a 2002 Tacoma 4cyllinder, few months ago the temperature gauge started to flicker on and off. After the about a half hour of driving the tempature gauge would read at a normal operating level, now it doesn't work at all. I haven't replaced the thermostat, but it seems like my engine is working normally but I am not for sure.
Has anyone had a similar issue and if so any suggestions on next step?

 

just replace the temperature sensor, its probably bad if the reading was fluctuating

 

Find the temperature sender for the gauge, and unplug the wire. Now, ground the wire to the engine (key on). If your gauge goes all the way to the hot side, then your gauge is good, and your sender needs replacement. If the gauge doesn't move, then your gauge has crapped out.

 

Ive also got a an '02 4cylinder (no tachometer) and my temperature gauge hasn't worked in a few years. Could be first start of the morning in -10deg winter or its been running highway all day; the needle shoots right to the center of the gauge and sits there as soon as I start the truck.

I looked into fixing it a while back and found that there are separate temp relays. One that feeds to the computer = important, and one that feeds to the dash = not important.

The trucks operation isn't effected at all with that sensor out so don't worry. I looked into a replacement relay and they're around $80 so it wasn't worth the fix to me.

 

Good info. Thanks!

 

thanks that was all super helpful. It appears that it is my actual temp gauge that is broken. any tips on how best to replace the gauge or any good websites on where to buy a new instrument cluster?

 

If my temp gauge ends up being broke I'm prolly just going to get an aftermarket gauge.

 

just get the whole gage cluster, there are a few people on here selling theirs and they can be found on ebay as well.

unplug your dash cluster gages and plug in the new ones and your done, no need to try and fix the gage