98 Normal Operating Temp

[brian_k24]

I bought my Intrigue last Oct. and all winter long my temp gauge was always just below half, like 7/16. Now that it is spring and getting warmer, live in MN been around 50-60 lately, the temp gauge goes up above the half mark to about 9/16 when idling at a stop but drops back down when moving. Bought the car with 85,000 miles now has 99,000 and only started with the warmer outside temps. The fans are coming on and I did change all the fluids after I bought the car. Is this normal for the Intrigue? Owned a 96 LSS until Oct and the gauge always stayed below half in that car even with AC on and 100 outside.

[LittleHoov]

Do your cooling fans kick on when the AC is engaged?

Do they kick on when the engine is running that hot?

Your cooling fans are set to kick on around 215 degrees if im not mistaken. Your stock thermostat is set to open completely at 195. Most of the Intrigues here run just below the halfway mark all the time, so this is not normal, but you havent mentioned your cooling fans, and since it cools down once you start moving again, lets start there.

[brian_k24]

The fans due come on with the AC. They also come on without the AC when the temp on the gauge gets to about the 1/2 mark. Even after the fans come on the temp will keep climbing until it gets to about the 9/16 area on the gauge then it stablizes but it is only in the 50's outside.

[LittleHoov]

Kind of a dumb question, but I assume you have checked the coolant level?

Any strange noises to report? perhaps a gurgling sound? Or maybe something that might sound like a failing water pump?

The gauge gets its information from the coolant temp sensor if im not mistaken, but that wouldnt explain the high reading, because the fans get info from that sensor as well I think.