Oil "TEMP" gauge..
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Oil "TEMP" gauge..
I have an 81 and it has an oil TEMP gauge that is not working. Can someone tell me where the sensor/sending unit is for this gauge. My oil pressure gauge works fine. Thanks for any help.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Also, what is a normal operating temperature for the oil? I now know the gauge is good, I grounded the wire from the sensor and the gauge went all the way up. So, I gusee its time for a new sensor. TIA.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
What is the gauge doing? If it's pegged full hot the sender wire is grounded out, if it's all the way on cool then the wire may be off. To test the gauge remove the wire from the sender and ground it out... see if the gauge goes to full hot. Then let the wire hang not touching anything and see if it goes cold.
If you get the reaction above from the dash unit then replace the sender.
If you don't... then go to the back of the dash unit and make sure the connector is snug and clean. If it is, test the power wire for power using the ground on the connector.
If you have power you have verified both power and ground and you may possibly have a bad gauge. If you don't then use a different ground to isolate the problem.. you can do this by switching ground and testing for power.
If you can't figure it out, post back.
Willcox
If you get the reaction above from the dash unit then replace the sender.
If you don't... then go to the back of the dash unit and make sure the connector is snug and clean. If it is, test the power wire for power using the ground on the connector.
If you have power you have verified both power and ground and you may possibly have a bad gauge. If you don't then use a different ground to isolate the problem.. you can do this by switching ground and testing for power.
If you can't figure it out, post back.
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Aug 25, 2015 at 05:00 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 178
Likes: 34
From: Calgary Alberta
Oil "TEMP" gauge..
I don't know about normal, but my '81 (with all the computer and emissions stuff off) runs just a bit above 250 on the gauge when fully warm. Basically the tip of the needle sits between the "5" and the "0" in the "250"...Pretty much the 12 o'clock position.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Thank you.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
What is the gauge doing? If it's pegged full hot the sender wire is grounded out, if it's all the way on cool then the wire may be off. To test the gauge remove the wire from the sender and ground it out... see if the gauge goes to full hot. Then let the wire hang not touching anything and see if it goes cold.
If you get the reaction above from the dash unit then replace the sender.
If you don't... then go to the back of the dash unit and make sure the connector is snug and clean. If it is, test the power wire for power using the ground on the connector.
If you have power you have verified both power and ground and you may possibly have a bad gauge. If you don't then use a different ground to isolate the problem.. you can do this by switching ground and testing for power.
If you can't figure it out, post back.
Willcox
If you get the reaction above from the dash unit then replace the sender.
If you don't... then go to the back of the dash unit and make sure the connector is snug and clean. If it is, test the power wire for power using the ground on the connector.
If you have power you have verified both power and ground and you may possibly have a bad gauge. If you don't then use a different ground to isolate the problem.. you can do this by switching ground and testing for power.
If you can't figure it out, post back.
Willcox
THANK YOU! with your help I have determined that the gauge is OK and I need a new sending unit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Mine runs about 20* below water temp, unless I am driving hard, then they are about the same.(We did a Death Valley run this year).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
Depending on where the sensor is located, oil temps should always be somewhat higher than the coolant after running for a while. Same as when the oil pressure drops after a while. The most accurate spot for a sensor is in the oil pan.