Temperature gauge shot up
 

This morning I had a problem starting the car as it was -22F and when I finally started it my temperature gauge shoots up to the red zone. I got scared so I turned off the car immediately.

I came home and started the car again without any problems. Now the temperature gauge still jumps right to the red zone (all the way to the right). There is no way that this is right as the engine is cold.

I just let it idle to hope that temperature is gonna come down to correctly display...but it's pretty much stuck there.

I turned it off and started again. The gauge actually sits where it should be for about a sec and jumps right to the red zone again...

Does anybody know what the problem is?

What year is your rover? You can get real time data from the OBD port and see the engine temps. At operating temperature of the engine should be between 190 and 200F. Chances are your problem is an electrical short.

BTW, I wouldn't drive it...

Is your coolant frozen? That's cold. Where do you live, the North Pole?

That is an electrical issue not an engine over heat.
First of all, as already asked, where do you live, how old is your battery? I would have the local parts store do a charging system test on your truck, your voltage should be between 13.6 and 14.4 volts, make sure your cables/grounds are clean and tight. Also while there ask them if they can do a draw test on your starter to rule out a tired starter.Is your engine turning over slowly when it is that cold?

Just to give you guys an update.

My battery was dead, so I removed and recharged the battery. I started the truck again when it got much warmer like -5. The gauge problem is now fixed!! I don't know what happened...

It was probably an electrical issue like Mike said. These trucks take a lot of juice and at that temperature it was just throwing a fit. Mine does it now and then and since the gauge jumps so fast I know it is not actually reading right, then it will settle down and be good and I feel all warm and fuzzy again.

My rover is a little pissant on really cold mornings.... -22F!!! WOW! Didn't notice that at first.

Good to hear you got it sorted out. Always nice to get updates from members. All too often someone has an issue, we give them insight, and don't hear back :) .