ok i drive about 45 min to a from school everyday and most of it is on the highway.(i live in south florida where its like 90 outside all the time) but while i'm driving on the highway i have been noticing that my temp gauge is jumping all over the place, it usally stays right under 210 but its going all the way up to like 240 and a little above and then the next min its right back down. does anybody have any idea what could be causing this?? and help would be great. maybe this has some thing to do but who knows, the car has about 61000 miles. w/ the stock water pump. could the water pump be dying? just an idea

 

Just to start, I would look at the thermostat. I had a similar problem on my wifes old car. The thermostat was sticking. The car would begin to overheat when stopped or driven slowly (i.e. low rpm's) but when you would accelerate or keep the rpm's up it would cool back down. As the engine speed increases so does the water pump causing more water presure. In my case it was forcing open the sticking thermostat. Just a first (inexpensive) place to start. other than that make sure the radiator isn't clogged and corroded (visual inspection). You probably should have it flushed if you have'nt yet and of course then there is the water pump. But usually a water pump will leak onto the ground when going bad. Good luck