I have a 2000 Protege 5spd. We are having 20 degree weather. When I get up to a good speed the temp gauge drops and I stop getting heat. When I am at a light or stopped for about two minutes the temp gauge goes back up and I get heat.

Any Ideas?

 

Well I have a 5spd '97 Protege and it seems like I get no heat at all until its on the number 4 setting. Were having -20 degree weather and my fan belt i believe is starting to squeak at start off's but any idea why I wouldn't be getting heat on other settings?

 

If you ever get this figured out, please let us know. The problem you're having is similar to the one I described under "Heater Problem". I've kind of wondered if the temp gauge sending unit might be going bad but haven't had time to replace it to find out.

 

I changed the thermostat and the antifreeze and it fixed the problem.
Easy- took less than an hour.

 

Check your antifreeze and make sure its mixed correctly. If it is intermittent, I would replace the thermostat, it may be getting stuck.