ive had my car for over 2 years and it has never gone over 1/2 way on the gauge and the one time it did was because of a bad water pump. So i dont see how a gauge going over 1/2 way is normal...idk maybe my car just isnt "normal" running at about 1/4 all day

 

1991-1994''s the gauge gets almost into the red until the fan turns on. 1995+ the fan turns on when the needle is approaching the 3/4 mark. But in all S-Series, the fan turns on at the same temperature.

 

what are some other signs of bad water pump?

 

A puddle of coolant under the passenger side of the car.

 

i have never seen it leaking any fluids.

 

At the begining of failure of the seal, the weep hole will drip a small amout of coolant. Not enough to produce a puddle. It''ll just drip down the block and flow back while driving.