temp gauge reading cold
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 246
Likes: 2
From: colonia New jeresy
temp gauge reading cold
i have a 73 the temp guage is reading about 160ish the car has a 180 stat in the engine fan clutch locks and unlocks normal but the gauge reads cold the senser should be the problem ?but were do i get the right one for the car thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 297
From: Midlothian VA
Might want to first verify the engine temp before tearing into calibration issues with your gauge. Gauge reading is dependent upon the sending unit and the gauge resistor.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I'd pull a ohms reading from the sender to verify it's working.. If it is working then I'd install this on the back of the gauge.
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...resistor-68-76
Once you add this resistor to your dash unit you can then match calibrate the sender to the gauge. There is an installation video at that link above too.
Willcox
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...resistor-68-76
Once you add this resistor to your dash unit you can then match calibrate the sender to the gauge. There is an installation video at that link above too.
Willcox
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Is this reading "new" or have you done anything to get a different reading?
The gauges are not super calibrated and readings a bit off are common.
Has there been any recent changes to your cooling system?
The gauges are not super calibrated and readings a bit off are common.
Has there been any recent changes to your cooling system?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 246
Likes: 2
From: colonia New jeresy
no changes its bin off for a long time . i have time now to fix it the sending unit. the unit was changed when i did the heads.i dont want to go in the gauge cluster if i dont have to.nobody sell the right unit?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
Do as suggested above. Test the sending unit by measuring the resistance from the stud on the sender to ground (engine block). There should be about 100 ohms difference between a cold and hot engine.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
If the water temp is correct (low), I suspect that the thermostat in your car has failed in the OPEN position. With it all the way open all of the time, it would take a pretty long time for the engine to reach normal operating temps. (And if you have a better radiator than the stock unit, it may never get higher than 160F.)
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