Temperature gauge issues
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 36
Likes: 10
Temperature gauge issues
My temp gauge reads fine until the engine gets to 200 then it pegs. The sender isn’t the problem when I unplug it after its up to temp the gauge stays maxed out. When the engine is cool I can touch the wire to ground it reads max when I release it, it reads zero. So the gauge should be fine also. It only pegs when the engine reaches about 200, if I shut it off for 5 minutes and it cools down some it reads normal again until it gets back to 200 then pegs. The wire isn’t touching anything in the engine bay.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 725
From: Marietta GA
If you want to be really sure the gauge is BAD, then run a temporary wire from the temp sending unit to the gauge (or a replacement temp gauge). If the symptoms remain the same, you need a new gauge. Have you read the many posts about excessive thread sealer on the engine sending unit?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,751
Likes: 1,391
chrisL82
I concur. This will be the easiest check...and you can just run the lead anywhichway you want for this test. Fast and easy check.
I concur. This will be the easiest check...and you can just run the lead anywhichway you want for this test. Fast and easy check.
If you want to be really sure the gauge is BAD, then run a temporary wire from the temp sending unit to the gauge (or a replacement temp gauge). If the symptoms remain the same, you need a new gauge. Have you read the many posts about excessive thread sealer on the engine sending unit?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 36
Likes: 10
Pulled the dash apart ran a new wire, doesn’t seem to have an issue anymore. I bought a replacement gauge on ecklers to have if I need to change it in the future. The old wire somehow was only grounding out when the engine was hot
Last edited by chrisL82; Oct 14, 2024 at 05:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 36
Likes: 10
I have a 180 stat in it now. Was a 160 because it used to overheat with my old rad. After I replaced it with an aluminum 4 core the temp would go down to 170 when driving. Stays 185-200 now
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 209
Likes: 33
That seems odd to me. Mine as said is 180 and it never reaches 200. Even in the hot summer with a/c on it doesnt reach 200.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 1,648
From: Fairfax Virginia
Kind of sounds like an On/Off sensor connected to your temperature gauge. You might have a thermostat going south for the winter but more likely the temp sensor is bad. Check for clean connections before replacing any parts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,509
Likes: 1,518
From: Little Rock AR
Take the sender and put it in a pot of water on the stove. Hook up a ohm meter across the spade terminal and the body threads. Heat up the water and watch what the ohms read on it over time. about 2300 ohms cold to about 180 ohms at boiling 212 degrees on my '80 style sender. If it jumps at 200 degrees water temp, you have a bad or wrong sensor.
