Water Temp. sender question.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Water Temp. sender question.
While I was placing my Headers on I broke off the tab to the water temp. sender unit. I went and purchased a new one for a whoping $9.99 . Now my temp. gauge does not work. I disconnected the wire from the sender, and tested with a light. The tester light comes on so I know there is no break in the wire. Is it possible to get a bad sending unit new? Or is there a difference in the type? I do not think it has anything to do with the gauge backing. Since It worked prior. And I did not touch anything inside the car. What are your thoughts?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
I'm pretty sure the sending units have a certain resistance you need to match in order for your gauge to work properly. You should be able to find a correct one from any of the Vette vendors.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,421
Likes: 1,558
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Temp Gauge Test...
With the key on remove wire from temp gauge sender - gauge should go to cold.
Now ground the wire - gauge should now go to hot.
If this works it proves the wires and the gauge are good and the sender is bad.
If not not the wires are bad..
Gauge readings with resistor level:
220*=70 ohms
200*=90 ohms
160*=140 ohms
120*=250 ohms
Now ground the wire - gauge should now go to hot.
If this works it proves the wires and the gauge are good and the sender is bad.
If not not the wires are bad..
Gauge readings with resistor level:
220*=70 ohms
200*=90 ohms
160*=140 ohms
120*=250 ohms
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
With the key on remove wire from temp gauge sender - gauge should go to cold.
Now ground the wire - gauge should now go to hot.
If this works it proves the wires and the gauge are good and the sender is bad.
If not not the wires are bad..
Gauge readings with resistor level:
220*=70 ohms
200*=90 ohms
160*=140 ohms
120*=250 ohms
Now ground the wire - gauge should now go to hot.
If this works it proves the wires and the gauge are good and the sender is bad.
If not not the wires are bad..
Gauge readings with resistor level:
220*=70 ohms
200*=90 ohms
160*=140 ohms
120*=250 ohms
Try going to Advanced and getting a BWD#WT203,I have my best luck with that one.I always test in boiling water before installing.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...e-success.html
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Try going to Advanced and getting a BWD#WT203,I have my best luck with that one.I always test in boiling water before installing.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...e-success.html
Nice write up too!!
Last edited by daanbc; Sep 26, 2011 at 07:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Roger, I found a BWD #WT203 and a #WT203Z. Whats the diff. besides the price. The first one is $13.29 the second is $ 5.69.
The WT203Z is in stock. The WT203 is not!
The WT203Z is in stock. The WT203 is not!
Last edited by daanbc; Sep 26, 2011 at 07:46 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I believe the WT203Z is OK but I can't remember for sure. Bring it home attach an ohm meter and put it in boiling water,if it gets down to 80 ohms it should be good.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 850
Likes: 12
From: Shakopee MN
Try going to Advanced and getting a BWD#WT203,I have my best luck with that one.I always test in boiling water before installing.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...e-success.html
My testing showed the BWD WT203Z worked well here.
Last edited by StingrayLust; Sep 26, 2011 at 11:39 PM.
