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I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Galant ES 2.4 cylinder engine. I parked my car after leaving the laundry mart and I got in to pick up my children and it would crank but won't start. So we changed the spark plugs, wires, ingnition coils, a new battery. Before the battery after we did the wires and coils and plugs it still would get a spark. So I checked the fuse box under the hood and the yellow number 20 was burnt so replaced it and it started right up. When that happened the brake light, battery light came on and my thermometer went by the red line. As I stopped and go it went up and down but never over over heated. Even after we replaced the battery. What could this be?

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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Trina
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Battery and Brake Light on simultaneously on most Japanese vehicles generally means a bad alternator. I owned a 2003 Galant with the same engine and had the same issue.

Most Retail Automotive Parts Stores will provide a charging system test for free.

The Gauges indicating improperly are likely a separate issue. Gauges malfunctioning and blown fuses would lead me to worry about electrical health. I would start by removing the electrical grounds, cleaning, and reattaching them.

As another user mentioned, make sure that you have the proper level of coolant, and that it's circulating properly. Bring the vehicle up to operating temperature and check the temperature of both the upper and lower radiator hose, either with a non-contact Infrared Thermometer or by feeling the hose with your hand (exercise caution for moving options excessive heat etc.)

Here is an article at YourMechanic.com which gets into How to Diagnose Cooling Issues If you do have an issue where both hoses never get warm, even after the vehicle is at operating temperature, then you should continue with some of the other components covered in that article linked.

I hope this helps.

NitrusInc
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Based on the symptoms you're describing, it sounds like there could be a few potential issues at play:

Alternator Function: Given that the battery light is on, it's possible that the alternator isn't charging the battery properly, leading to electrical issues and potentially contributing to the overheating problem. I recommend having the alternator tested to ensure it's functioning correctly.

Cooling System: The fluctuating temperature gauge suggests there might be an issue with the cooling system. Check the coolant level, thermostat, and water temperature sensor. Low coolant or a malfunctioning thermostat could cause the engine to overheat.

Fuse and Wiring: The blown 20A fuse might indicate an electrical short or overload in the circuit it protects. Double-check the fuse box to confirm the exact circuit that fuse is related to, and inspect the wiring for any visible damage.

Given these potential issues, I suggest starting with a thorough inspection of the alternator, cooling system, and related electrical components to pinpoint the root cause. If these checks don't reveal the problem, further diagnostics may be required.