Temperature Gauge Malfunctions

Asked by GuruJ794F Aug 10, 2020 at 01:20 AM about the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2016 Chevy Silverado 5.3 V8 I had a
question, my temperature gauge goes down while
I’m driving and it makes my AC not work. I have to
turn it on and off for it to work again. My AC isn’t
working after the first time.

1 Answer

158,595

Sounds like a bad connection at the coolant temperature sensor. If your check engine light is on this will confirm my suspicion. When the coolant temperature sensor is unplugged and the computer is not receiving a signal from it the temperature gauge will go down to cold, the check engine light will come on, and the air conditioning will be disabled. If you have an electric radiator cooling fan that will come on at high speed too. Without a signal from the coolant temperature sensor the computer assumes that the engine is overheating and does the above mentioned things to prevent engine damage. So check the wiring going to the coolant temperature sensor. If the wiring is good, replace the sensor. Get a Delco sensor. For some reason GMs don't like aftermarket coolant temperature sensors. Hope that helps! Jim

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