Pontiac Aztec - occasional check engine light and total drop on temp guage

I have a friend with a 2001 Pontiac Aztec, where occasionally the
check engine light comes on and the temp gauge completely drops
counterclockwise to cold. The problem often goes away the next time
the engine is started.
My guess would be a faulty thermostat. I would like to hear from
others on this one.

techman41973 > wrote in news:32b80ac3-80bf-4688-
:

> I have a friend with a 2001 Pontiac Aztec, where occasionally the
> check engine light comes on and the temp gauge completely drops
> counterclockwise to cold. The problem often goes away the next time
> the engine is started.
> My guess would be a faulty thermostat. I would like to hear from
> others on this one.
>


More likely a faulty Engine Coolant Sensor, or a faulty gauge sensor (they
may be the same thing on your vehicle). A bad theromstat would not cause
this.

--
Tegger

On Mar 10, 6:10*pm, techman41973 > wrote:
> I have a friend with a 2001 Pontiac Aztec, where occasionally the
> check engine light comes on and the temp gauge completely drops
> counterclockwise to cold. The problem often goes away the next time
> the engine is started.
> My guess would be a faulty thermostat. I would like to hear from
> others on this one.

check the temp sensor and/or pigtail plug for it.