Hello, I'm Steve and I have a 02 Montero LTD. During this past winter I've had a coolant and...I believe an electrical power problem.

-The check engine light has been on since I got it inspected which I'm sure is a catalytic converter prob. but it went off recently fo about a week...then came back on. Now the engine light is off again.

-During this time, the dome light that comes on inside the truck when you open the door stopped coming on for about two to three weeks. Now I get in my truck a few days ago to warm it up in the morning and click the unlock button to make sure it's unlocked and the dome light just turns on.

-The biggest worry I have though is that yesterday when I'm leaving work...I turned on the ignition and the temp gauge just SPIKED immediately, right when I turned on the ignition. This has never happened before. I drove the truck a bit on the way home and at first, the needle went down to normal for a sec but went up then down about a quarter and then up and it's been up to the top ever since. I stopped a few times in some parking lots to see if it was over heating and it isn't. No antifreeze smell or steam or anything. It does have a coolant leak but it's not bad and I keep it full and check it. The gauge just stays at the top. I'm thinking electrical or computer. I just checked it I just replaced the alternator about two years ago. Can anyone help with info on this problem? Thanks in advance

 

Common problem with the temp gauge. Should be some threads covering this already just do a search.

https://mitsubishiforum.com/forum/mi...p-gauge-47609/

 

Yep, temp gauge reading error is very common. Scary as hell when you see it for the first time too. I feel for you. Check the link TheMole posted there are some resources there on how to deal with it.