What's wrong with the engine of my Avensis?

I just bought a 2000 Toyota Avensis off a friend. It has an intermittent problem wih revs going up and down and when it happens the temperature gauge drops all the way down. What could this be?

Debbie King (Dublin)

Apr 2012 Filed under: fault

---

Expert answer

Hi Debbie,

This really sounds like the coolant temperature sender unit/sensor is playing up. As well as sending a signal to the temperature gauge it gives a reading to the engine's computer, which affects how it runs. It's usually not too difficult or expensive to replace.

Hope that helps.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D