Temps Up With Park Lights On

[HeavyFuel]

Okay....this seems kinda weird.   My engine temp goes up about 10-15* when the lights are on.

Happened tonight.   Flipped on the park lights....temp almost immediately went up a bit.    Flipped them off about three blocks from home, and within a block, I could see the temps dropping back down.

Is this normal?   

If so.......why?

And if not....is there a fix?

[A383Wing]

I had this issue a while back.....I lost my ground from the engine to firewall.....

[HeavyFuel]

 

I'll check that.      What would cause a ground to fail, if I haven't been moving things around under there?

And how does the ground effect the engine temps?

[nascarxx29]

Dash cluster requires chassis ground for proper operation

[HeavyFuel]

Thanks guys.  

Yeah, that makes sense....that it's an electrical issue, and the temp gauge is reacting a change in the current when the lights go on, as opposed to an actual change in engine temp.

I feel dumb now.....  

[Dino]

Thanks guys.  

Yeah, that makes sense....that it's an electrical issue, and the temp gauge is reacting a change in the current when the lights go on, as opposed to an actual change in engine temp.

I feel dumb now.....  

Nah don't do that to yourself.  None of us are very smart so you fit right in.