Water Temp Gage Problems
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX, USA
Water Temp Gage Problems
I'm having problems with the gage. It wants to wander, then pins out to the max. Here's what I did so far: I replaced the temp sensor, (tried the new style with the weather pak plug and the old style single spade, both worked fine and I stayed with the new one with the external ground) cleaned out my gage console and installed a new circuit board (just in case). Tested the resistance of the wire going from the cluster harness plug back to the sensor (0.3 ohms including the jumper wire). Installed the gage cluster, then I checked the sensor out of the block using a pan of hot water. The gage responded normally. Then I installed it in the block, put the coolant back in started the car to let it warm up, and still the same old problem.
Anybody experience this? I can't imagine what is next?
Anybody experience this? I can't imagine what is next?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
Maybe the temp guage itself is broken?
Are you using the correct coolant temp sensor made for your year? Are you using the correct temp guage for your year also? The resistance of different coolant temp sensors vary.
Are you using the correct coolant temp sensor made for your year? Are you using the correct temp guage for your year also? The resistance of different coolant temp sensors vary.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX, USA
Yes, I'm using the original gage that came with the car (an '82) and the sensor is correct for the year. You may have a point on resistance, but I tested both sensors out of the engine with the pan of hot water and they both responded normally. When I put the sensor back in the block the temp gage goes crazy again. I may have to try another ground location. I currently have the ground wire going to the alternator ground lug, which ends up grounding at the block. So, I don't know what it is?
Last edited by Raygun82; Nov 28, 2005 at 12:17 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
I actually just put a new temp sensor in tonight, and mine didn't a have a separate ground wire. Are you sure that yours does? There is a green wire that slips on the sensor but I think the sensor grounds itself by screwing into the head.
Your 82 might be different though.
Your 82 might be different though.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX, USA
I'm using the upgraded sensor with the ground wire. This upgrade eliminates the old problem of the original sensor that had problems grounding at the block due to corrosion, plus the potential leaking problem. The new one has the sensor wire that goes to the green wire you mentioned and the black wire goes to ground.
I've also tried the single spade OEM design sensor (grounds to block) I made sure there was no sealant in the threads before I installed the new single spade sensor. Since the original acted the same, I put the new upgraded 2 wire plug back in. Still the same problem.
I've also tried the single spade OEM design sensor (grounds to block) I made sure there was no sealant in the threads before I installed the new single spade sensor. Since the original acted the same, I put the new upgraded 2 wire plug back in. Still the same problem.
