I have a 2000 TL and the temp gauge on the dash doesn't read the proper temp. The other day while pulling out of Fred Meyer, I noticed that it said 99 degrees when the real temp was somewhere in the 70s. And earlier today, it said 82 when the real temp was 63. So I'm wondering, is there some sort of sensor that I need to replace or clean?

 

The sensor is located in front of the radiator. Never had a problem with mine, but try cleaning and check the connector. Probably went bad, unless your motor is throwing off an excessive amount of heat ?

 

What type of cleaner should I use?

 

Don't really know, try anything to remove the built up residue. Spray some electrical cleaner inside the connector. Probably won't help if the sensor has went bad, but try it !

I can't imagine that sensor costing very much to replace, check some online sites.

 

It's 29.99 at O'reilly and Autozone so I'll replace it if cleaning doesn't help, thanks.

I won't be able to get to it until I get my 3rd gear pressure switch in. Might as well work on it once instead of twice since both sensors are pretty close together.

 

final adjustment up or down 5 degrees is done with the trip reset buttons

look under front center of rad for it

 

[QUOTE=eb121209;14520750]I have a 2000 TL and the temp gauge on the dash doesn't read the proper temp. The other day while pulling out of Fred Meyer, I noticed that it said 99 degrees when the real temp was somewhere in the 70s. And earlier today, it said 82 when the real temp was 63. So I'm wondering, is there some sort of sensor that I need to replace or clean?[/QUOTE
Are you aware that you have to be moving to get accurate results? I don't remember the specifics, but the info is in the owner's manual. You have to be above a minimum speed for several minutes to remove heat built up by the radiator.

 

[QUOTE=TLer trash;14526354]Are you aware that I said "While I was pullling out of Fred Meyer", which means I WAS MOVING.

 

[QUOTE=eb121209;14526398]Also, like I said, the temp in the car said 82 when it really was 63. And that was AFTER I drove all the way home.

 

I am actually quite aware of what you wrote. I visualized "Pulling out of Fred Meyer" to be a couple hundred yards at parking lot speed after a hot soak. You also never mentioned anything about "all the way home", whatever that distance might be.