Best answer
If the thermostat becomes stuck in the closed position, the circulation of the coolant is blocked so the coolant cannot get to the radiator to be cooled which causes the engine to overheat.
Can a stuck open thermostat cause coolant loss?
A thermostat stuck in the open position constantly pushes coolant into the engine and causes a lower operating temperature. ... This will reduce engine efficiency and increase emisssions over time, as well as accelerate the deterioration of parts.
Can a stuck open thermostat cause rough idle?
Yes, if the thermostat is stuck open, the engine may not reach normal operating temperature, and it might idle faster than it should, but it should still idle smoothly, unless there is an additional problem. Most cars idle faster when the engine is cold. ... Can a thermostat cause a check engine light to come on?
Can a thermostat be partially stuck?
Thermostat valves can fail in one of three ways: open, closed or stuck halfway. If the valve sticks in the closed position, coolant will constantly recycle through the engine without going to the radiator, causing the engine to overheat.
Is it OK to drive with a thermostat stuck open?
If you are driving your vehicle and the thermostat is stuck in the open position, it's definitely going to cause some problems for you.
When your thermostat is unable to properly close when it needs to, the flow of coolant will be unrestricted throughout your engine..
What does a stuck closed thermostat look like?
Look to see if the coolant is swirling/flowing immediately — that means the thermostat's stuck open. If the coolant doesn't flow after 10 minutes or so and continues to be stagnant after the temperature gauge indicates it's hot, the thermostat's likely stuck closed. Replace the radiator cap and turn off the engine.
What happens if my thermostat is stuck open?
Thermostat stuck open: When the thermostat is stuck open, the engine temperature drops below normal when driving, especially on the highway in cold weather. A stuck-open thermostat can also cause lack of heat from the heating system. The Check Engine light may come on too.
How long can you drive with thermostat stuck open?
Open is fine as others have stated, the only thing is that since your car will not reach the ideal operating temp, (yes, you can overcool a car) your gas milage will take a hit becuase the ECU thinks the engine is still trying to warm up. my friend drove his car for 4.5 YEARS with stuck-open thermostat...
Will a thermostat cause a car to overheat?
Overheating. Because your thermostat controls temperature of fluids from the radiator hose, a bad thermostat will cause your car to overheat. ... If the thermostat becomes stuck in the closed position, antifreeze doesn't flow from the radiator, causing overheating.
Can a bad thermostat cause transmission problems?
If the thermostat is stuck open Temperature gauge reads lower than normal. Heater doesn't work. Automatic transmission has trouble shifting into higher gears. Fuel economy drops noticeably.
Can a stuck thermostat fix itself?
You can either replace the valves with new ones or work the valves back into a position where they can move up and down more freely. Replace the thermostat. This is the last thing you want to do, but if the hoses do not show a blockage or coolant hindrance then the thermostat itself may be malfunctioning.
Related Question Answers

Jacob Relkin
ProfessorCan you drive with thermostat stuck closed?
A vehicle can run just fine if the thermostat doesn't open. It will run on the warm side, not past halfway, and heat the interior just fine. But, when the weather gets warmer outside that thermostat stuck closed will not be able to allow the reservoir water flow and the vehicle will begin to have overheating issues.

Matee Gojra
ProfessorHow do you check if a thermostat is working?
If you see your temperature gauge going into the red within the first 15 minutes of driving, your thermostat may be bad. Generally, if your vehicle is overheating within 15 minutes or so of driving it, this may be a sign that the thermostat is stuck. Step 2: Check the radiator hoses.

bruno077
ProfessorWhat happens when a defrost thermostat goes bad?
A faulty defrost termination thermostat may result in the defrost heater never heating and a solid frost buildup on the evaporator coil, which results in too warm temperatures. The thermostat contacts are normally closed and have continuity until it reaches 140 degrees.

Asim Zaidi
ProfessorHow does a thermostat go bad in a car?
Why Car Thermostats Fail. Car thermostats fail when the valve of the thermostat fails to open, fails to close or gets stuck in a partially-open position. As the thermostat controls the flow of coolant to the engine, this can keep the car from warming up or cause it to overheat.

G M
ProfessorCan you overheat a dryer?
If the air gets stuck inside a dryer's internal duct instead of coming out, you are more likely to get the dryer overheated.
It's worth checking the power of the airflow from the duct inside the dryer to make sure it's not clogged or rusty..

Clemens
ProfessionalCan a thermostat fail closed?
All thermostats will fail in either a closed or open position; there is no such thing as a thermostat that will fail in a “safe” position. Although some brands may claim a thermostat fails in a safe position, it simply locks itself open while it is in a full stroke open position.

JSON Derulo
ProfessionalWhat does a stuck thermostat look like?
The yellow line is the engine temperature. ... If a thermostat was stuck open, the lower radiator hose would start warming up as soon as the engine is started. If a thermostat was stuck closed, there would be no flow even after the engine reached the operating temperature, and the lower radiator hose would remain cool.

Daniel Vassallo
ProfessionalWill check engine light come on if thermostat is bad?
The most noticeable issues occur when the thermostat gets stuck in either the open or closed position. A malfunction can result in a trouble code, generated by the engine's computer, which can turn on your check engine light.

madox2
ProfessionalCan a bad thermostat cause high idle?
So yes, a bad T-stat (and also a bad ECT) should be put on the list of things tha can cause a high idle. Yup if the thermostat is keeping the engine too cold, it'll never completely transition from open, to closed loop operation & the computer will continue to set the cold temp, high idle condition.

Stack Fox
ProfessionalCan a bad thermostat cause you to lose coolant?
Another indication may also be leaking coolant which can be caused by the thermostat not allowing coolant to flow when it is stuck in the closed position. ... This can eventually cause other coolant hoses to leak as well resulting in coolant often times leaking on the ground under your vehicle.

Icemanind
UserDoes a bad thermostat affect air conditioning?
Normal Interaction. Under most circumstances, a bad thermostat will not have any effect whatsoever on the air conditioning system. ... A stuck-open thermostat will constantly send coolant through the radiator to cool, meaning that the coolant -- and thus the heater -- may never reach its full operating temperature.

Pirate
UserWhy does the fan run when thermostat is off?
Here's what they may find: Stuck Relay – Relays in your air conditioner unit help open and close electrical circuits to turn components, like a fan, on and off. ... Malfunctioning Thermostat – A faulty thermostat can cause your AC fan to run constantly by not knowing when the desired temperature has been reached.

Laryx Decidua
UserCan a faulty thermostat cause a car to overheat?
A broken thermostat might be stuck in the closed position, causing the engine to warm up – and then keep going.
No matter how hot the engine gets, the coolant is unable to pass through.
This is a real problem and can cause your engine to overheat rapidly..

MagGGG
UserWhat happens when car thermostat fails?
Thermostat failure signs. ... If the thermostat becomes stuck in the closed position, the circulation of the coolant is blocked so the coolant cannot get to the radiator to be cooled which causes the engine to overheat.

Mahozad
UserCan a stuck thermostat cause heater not to work?
If the thermostat stuck closed, the coolant engine will be overheated and self-destructed in a very fast time. In this case, there will be no hot coolant running through the heating core, and therefore, your heating system will only blow cold air.

Steve Py
GuestHow do I know if thermostat is stuck open?
Symptoms of a bad thermostat Thermostat stuck open: When the thermostat is stuck open, the engine temperature drops below normal when driving, especially on the highway in cold weather. A stuck-open thermostat can also cause lack of heat from the heating system. The Check Engine light may come on too.

Whole Brain
GuestWhy is my Honeywell thermostat not turning on?
Check to make sure all access doors are closed. Another common issue for not having a display on your Honeywell thermostat is because the circuit breaker may have been tripped. HVAC systems typically have their own circuit breaker, so check the box to make sure the switch is on.

Marvelous Ikechi
GuestWhy is my Honeywell thermostat on cool but not working?
1. Verify that the thermostat is switched to cool mode and has a cooling set point below the room temperature reading. 2. ... If the thermostat indicates a call for cool, verify that the furnace door is securely closed and that the power switch on the furnace is set to On.

Ami Tavory
GuestWhat causes a thermostat to fail?
There are two scenarios for failing thermostats: ... If the thermostat becomes stuck in the closed position, the circulation of the coolant is blocked so the coolant cannot get to the radiator to be cooled which causes the engine to overheat.

thatjeffsmith
GuestWhat happens when car thermostat goes bad?
A bad thermostat can stuck-open or stuck closed. A stuck-open thermostat can prevent the engine from getting heated enough to function properly. A stuck-closed thermostat is a much more serious case where the engine overheats quickly and might be self-destructed.

Seth Ladd
GuestCan a bad thermostat cause a burning smell?
A stuck, open thermostat would not produce this scenario because the thermostat is supposed to be open at highway speeds. The burning smell through the vents indicates potentially serious damage to your engine. ... The excessive heat is burning oil, plastic, wiring, etc. in the engine compartment.

strager
GuestHow can I tell if my thermostat is stuck closed?
If one (usually the top) is cooler, but the bottom is burning up, that indicates the thermostat is stuck closed as well. Do not stick your hand near the front of the engine while the fan and belt are moving, and never remove the radiator cap from a hot engine.

congusbongus
GuestHow can you tell if your thermostat is stuck open?
Symptoms of a bad thermostat Thermostat stuck open: When the thermostat is stuck open, the engine temperature drops below normal when driving, especially on the highway in cold weather. A stuck-open thermostat can also cause lack of heat from the heating system. The Check Engine light may come on too.

miku
GuestWhat happens if the thermostat doesn't work?
Thermostats fail because they become weak, stuck open or stuck closed. When a thermostat is stuck open, coolant constantly circulates and the engine takes longer to reach operating temperature. This affects everything from performance to mileage to emissions and will ultimately take years off the engine's life.

slago
GuestCan a bad thermostat cause radiator fan not to work?
If the thermostat is stuck open (allowing coolant to flow) it can cause the engine to run cooler than normal so obviously the fan wouldn't come on.....but not like the engine/coolant can be running too hot and the thermostat somehow effects the sensor reading or operation of the fan.

Bruce
GuestWhat happens when a thermostat fails?
If the thermostat becomes stuck in the closed position, the circulation of the coolant is blocked so the coolant cannot get to the radiator to be cooled which causes the engine to overheat.
....

coroutineDispatcher
GuestWhat will a bad thermostat cause?
Overheating. Because your thermostat controls temperature of fluids from the radiator hose, a bad thermostat will cause your car to overheat. ... If the thermostat becomes stuck in the closed position, antifreeze doesn't flow from the radiator, causing overheating.

Anees Hameed
GuestHow do you tell if a thermostat is open or closed?
As the engine heats up, the thermostat should open up and allow the coolant to flow from the radiator to the engine.
If you see the coolant flowing through the radiator, then the thermostat opened and is working properly.
If not, then it is most likely stuck closed..

Jacob Gabrielson
GuestHow do I know if my thermostat is opening?
As the engine heats up, the thermostat should open up and allow the coolant to flow from the radiator to the engine. If you see the coolant flowing through the radiator, then the thermostat opened and is working properly. If not, then it is most likely stuck closed.

mikera
GuestHow do I know if my thermostat is stuck closed?
If you notice that the engine is hot but the radiator and the upper radiator hose are cool to the touch, there may be a thermostat issue.
Both hoses should be warm to hot.
If one hose is cold and the other hot, this is a good indication your thermostat is stuck closed..

j-petty
GuestHow do I know if my thermostat is stuck open or closed?
Check the radiator hoses for differences in temperature. If one (usually the top) is cooler, but the bottom is burning up, that indicates the thermostat is stuck closed as well. Do not stick your hand near the front of the engine while the fan and belt are moving, and never remove the radiator cap from a hot engine.

casraf
GuestHow do I know if my thermostat is stuck open?
Symptoms of a bad thermostat Thermostat stuck open: When the thermostat is stuck open, the engine temperature drops below normal when driving, especially on the highway in cold weather.
A stuck-open thermostat can also cause lack of heat from the heating system.
The Check Engine light may come on too..

Brian Adams
GuestHow do I know if my thermostat is stuck?
If you notice that the engine is hot but the radiator and the upper radiator hose are cool to the touch, there may be a thermostat issue. Both hoses should be warm to hot. If one hose is cold and the other hot, this is a good indication your thermostat is stuck closed.

Aerin
GuestHow do you know if your thermostat is stuck open?
Cold engine test: Start the engine. Time how long it takes the engine to warm up enough to produce heat when the heater is turned on. If it takes more than five minutes for the heater to produce heat, it is a sign that the thermostat is stuck open, allowing all the coolant to flow all the time.

Zhorov
GuestHow does a thermostat fail?
Thermostats fail because they become weak, stuck open or stuck closed. When a thermostat is stuck open, coolant constantly circulates and the engine takes longer to reach operating temperature. This affects everything from performance to mileage to emissions and will ultimately take years off the engine's life.

Vik
GuestWill a bad thermostat throw a code?
The most noticeable issues occur when the thermostat gets stuck in either the open or closed position.
A malfunction can result in a trouble code, generated by the engine's computer, which can turn on your check engine light..

Chris Patterson
GuestWill a faulty thermostat cause a car to overheat?
A broken thermostat might be stuck in the closed position, causing the engine to warm up – and then keep going. No matter how hot the engine gets, the coolant is unable to pass through. This is a real problem and can cause your engine to overheat rapidly.

freedomn-m
GuestWill a stuck closed thermostat cause no heat?
A stuck-open thermostat can also cause lack of heat from the heating system. The Check Engine light may come on too. Thermostat stuck closed: When the thermostat is stuck closed, the engine might overheat. Besides these two cases, the thermostat may also need to be replaced if the thermostat housing is leaking coolant.

rouble
GuestWill a stuck thermostat cause overheating?
Your vehicle's thermostat opens to allow coolant to flow through the radiator and cool the engine down. However, if the thermostat gets stuck in the closed position, the coolant can't flow through the radiator and can make your engine overheat.

JosefZ
GuestWill heater work if thermostat stuck closed?
If a thermostat was stuck open, the lower radiator hose would start warming up as soon as the engine is started. If a thermostat was stuck closed, there would be no flow even after the engine reached the operating temperature, and the lower radiator hose would remain cool.

Paul Razvan Berg
GuestWill heater work if thermostat stuck open?
Answer: If the thermostat was stuck open the heater would eventually warm up. In between cold and halfway sounds like a fine engine temperature. This is more likely a problem with the heater core.

rdegges
GuestIs removing the thermostat bad?
In short, there is no good reason to remove the thermostat (unless in an emergency because it stuck shut and no replacement was available. For most they will run too cold, and have incomplete combustion. For some engines they will overheat.

Slipp D. Thompson
GuestIs the thermostat in my car broken?
Generally, if your vehicle is overheating within 15 minutes or so of driving it, this may be a sign that the thermostat is stuck. Step 2: Check the radiator hoses. If you notice that the engine is hot but the radiator and the upper radiator hose are cool to the touch, there may be a thermostat issue.

bignose
GuestWhat causes a thermostat to get stuck closed?
Stuck open means too much coolant is being allocated to the engine, causing the engine to be abnormally cool. If the thermostat is stuck closed, that means not enough fluid is going into the engine and the engine will overheat.

Stephan
GuestWhat causes a thermostat to get stuck open?
If something goes awry in your engine, then it's possible your thermostat can get stuck in the open position. This could be caused by some kind of build-up of debris, grease, dirt, or some kind of corrosion that prevents it from closing properly.

Mark Rushakoff
GuestWhat causes a thermostat to stick closed?
If the thermostat is stuck closed, that means not enough fluid is going into the engine and the engine will overheat.

orokusaki
GuestWhat causes thermostat to fail?
Thermostats fail because they become weak, stuck open or stuck closed. When a thermostat is stuck open, coolant constantly circulates and the engine takes longer to reach operating temperature.

Radex
GuestWhat does a bad car thermostat look like?
If you see your temperature gauge going into the red within the first 15 minutes of driving, your thermostat may be bad. Generally, if your vehicle is overheating within 15 minutes or so of driving it, this may be a sign that the thermostat is stuck.

limc
GuestWhat does it mean when your car thermostat stays on cold?
Reasons the Temperature Gauge Reads Cold If the temperature gauge still reads cold after the engine has warmed up, the gauge may simply be broken. ... With the thermostat stuck open, the engine can be overcooled, causing a low temperature reading. If this is the case, the thermostat may need to be replaced.

Eli Courtwright
GuestWhat happens if the car thermostat doesn't work?
A failed thermostat will prevent the engine from operating within its ideal temperature range and affect its performance. For example: A thermostat stuck opened will cause a continuous flow of coolant, resulting in a lower operating temperature.