Hello,
I took my Challenger out for a run the other day and noticed that the temp started climbing on me. I was winding it up a bit around town and noticed that my gauge started crossing 190F (where it usually stays after warming up) and ultimately went above 230. The last time it did this, my car overheated and the issue was traced to lost fluid from a old, leaking heater hose. I promptly drove home and didn't notice any signs of overheating with the car still on and idling.
I have a digital heat sensor and I checked the temp at both radiator hoses and value cover surfaces-- all came back with temps less than 200, which is what I'd expect for a warmed up car at idle on a warm day.
I have an after-market gauge installed with actual temp numbers on it vs. a hot/cold range indicator and it has been pretty reliable. I am thinking that the temperature sending unit may be going bad or possibly the gauge itself, but I'd appreciate other perspectives. I don't think there are any overheating issues, as my car was running fine and I checked the temperature with an independent digital heat sensor.
Thoughts?