60 temperature sending unit test
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 37
60 temperature sending unit test
When I take the wire off of the temp sending unit and turn the key on my gauge will move up about 1/8" off of cold.
Shouldn't there be absolutely no movement, zero, with the wire off and the key turned on?
With the wire off and then grounded the Gauge will peg to full hot.
Shouldn't there be absolutely no movement, zero, with the wire off and the key turned on?
With the wire off and then grounded the Gauge will peg to full hot.
Last edited by stratplus; May 31, 2010 at 10:59 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
When I take the wire off of the temp sending unit and turn the key on my gauge will move up about 1/8" off of cold.
Shouldn't there be absolutely no movement, zero, with the wire off and the key turned on?
With the wire off and then grounded the Gauge will peg to full hot.
Shouldn't there be absolutely no movement, zero, with the wire off and the key turned on?
With the wire off and then grounded the Gauge will peg to full hot.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 37
60 electrical temp gauge issue I am going in circles
Going in circles on this. Does anyone have an idea?
This is what I have done so far.
The problem: After 10 minutes of running the temp gauge will slowly move to full hot and stay there. This only happens after running for about 10 minutes. I know that this temp is wrong and it is really running at 180.
2: Disconnected the temp sender wire at the engine, and disconnected the other end from temp gauge (right post). Ran a test wire from the temp sender over the windshield to the temp gauge right post, and with the key on the gauge went to the first 0 on the 100 temperature gauge dial. This means that the needle moves up about an 1/8 of an inch up from dead cold.
3: With the temp sender disconnected and the key on, the gauge will go to the 1 on the 100 temperature gauge, so it is not going as high as #2.
4: Tried different brand senders, the same results.
5: With a multimeter on the right post, and one to a good ground, and with the key on I get 12.46 volts. With the key off I get .03.
6: With the temp sender wire grounded to the engine, the temp gauge will immediately peg full hot.
This is what I have done so far.
The problem: After 10 minutes of running the temp gauge will slowly move to full hot and stay there. This only happens after running for about 10 minutes. I know that this temp is wrong and it is really running at 180.
2: Disconnected the temp sender wire at the engine, and disconnected the other end from temp gauge (right post). Ran a test wire from the temp sender over the windshield to the temp gauge right post, and with the key on the gauge went to the first 0 on the 100 temperature gauge dial. This means that the needle moves up about an 1/8 of an inch up from dead cold.
3: With the temp sender disconnected and the key on, the gauge will go to the 1 on the 100 temperature gauge, so it is not going as high as #2.
4: Tried different brand senders, the same results.
5: With a multimeter on the right post, and one to a good ground, and with the key on I get 12.46 volts. With the key off I get .03.
6: With the temp sender wire grounded to the engine, the temp gauge will immediately peg full hot.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Well...first you have to make sure you don't have a temp sender for an 'idiot light' optioned car....it has to be the right one for a gauge. (Don't laugh...they DO get switched).
Next the sender should be somewhat close to these readings (attached) depending on the brand. If the sender is close then its something in your wiring or dash gauge.
PS I assume you know not to use any Teflon tape when you install the sensor.
Next the sender should be somewhat close to these readings (attached) depending on the brand. If the sender is close then its something in your wiring or dash gauge.
PS I assume you know not to use any Teflon tape when you install the sensor.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 37
Well...first you have to make sure you don't have a temp sender for an 'idiot light' optioned car....it has to be the right one for a gauge. (Don't laugh...they DO get switched).
Next the sender should be somewhat close to these readings (attached) depending on the brand. If the sender is close then its something in your wiring or dash gauge.
PS I assume you know not to use any Teflon tape when you install the sensor.
Next the sender should be somewhat close to these readings (attached) depending on the brand. If the sender is close then its something in your wiring or dash gauge.
PS I assume you know not to use any Teflon tape when you install the sensor.
I have also used Dewitts sender $30, I did not pan test it. Tried it dry, it leaked, tried with teflon, and per Tom's recommendation, tried it with never seize.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 37
I am guessing that my temp gauge went bad. Is there a test to do on the gauge before I swap it out, just to make sure?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,368
Likes: 874
From: Norcal CA
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
temperature pegs to past 240 degrees when key is turned on
Okay, I am wondering if the guage is not working properly. The blue wire is connect to the post closer to the steering column. The pink wire is connected the other post. I have two different temperature sending unit. I am wondering why it pegs right off the bat...
Thanks!
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,368
Likes: 874
From: Norcal CA
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
The positive wire was loose which caused the problem. Now, the gauge slowly goes right below 240 when it reads 185-190 at the thermostat. Now, I have to figure out why...
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Classic crappy temp sender problem. Even the "calibrated" ones sold by well respected vendors often are junk. Ask me where the expensive "calibrated" one I bought from a big name vendor is sitting right now (hint, it rhymes with "garbage stan").
