90 tercel would not head up??

[winlo408]

i just bought a 1990 tercel and just found out that no matter how far i drive or how long the temp meter in the car would barley go up. i could be driving for like 30mins and the meter will still be a C (cold). any ideas on fixing this problem? and what can be causing this to happen?

thanks in advance

[winlo408]

sorry for the title i meant heat up

[rhynes]

Sounds like you need a new thermostat, your's is probably stuck open or been totally removed... If it's a 3e (carbureted), you'll find the thermostat housing under the distributer.

Pay the few extra bucks and get the fail-safe thermostat.

[b_azadeh]

If you live in a cold part of the world then I would follow the previous suggestion and check the Thermostat. If you live in a warm environment and you touch the Rad after driving your car for a few minutes and you find it cold, chances are there is no fluid circulation and I would start by checking/ replacing the Thermostat as suggested. If that does not remedy the problem check your water pump and connecting belt. Check for a clogged Rad/ Hoses. But if you find the rad hot, that is a good indication of fluid circulation. Does your fan come on? that is another good indication that the Rad does get hot. Is the fan shorted and stuck in the on position? Other than that it may be just the sensing unit, you can find a thermal sensing unit quite cheap at a nearby wreck-yard.

Hope that this was a bit of a help. Keep me posted.

Cheers