Temperature Display...'86 Vette
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 421
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From: Glen Burnie Md
Temperature Display...'86 Vette
I'm not real comfortable with my 'Temperature Display'.
I run a 160* thermostat, and with outside temperatures being in the high 40's to mid 50's yesterday and today, in my area of the country...I noticed my water temperature display, was staying near the 200*-210* mark. Usually, it'll run up to about 200*, the first 15 minutes of the drive, then reverse its-self, and lock in at around 180*. This has always been normal for this car, during this part of the seasons the past 16 years.
Had the car out for about an hour run each day...after a 10-15 minute warm up. Went through the gears once at WOT, and noticed the 'oil temperature' gauge had rose about 10* to 224* from it's normal of 210-214* levels. This too is normal.
Question: Is there a way to verify the 'temperature indicators' are correct?
If so, how would I go about doing?
I'm the original owner of this car, and I've only had to have the cluster panel serviced once, for guage lights going dim on me.
I'd appreciate any thoughts or observations you may have experienced in the past.
Thank you!!
I run a 160* thermostat, and with outside temperatures being in the high 40's to mid 50's yesterday and today, in my area of the country...I noticed my water temperature display, was staying near the 200*-210* mark. Usually, it'll run up to about 200*, the first 15 minutes of the drive, then reverse its-self, and lock in at around 180*. This has always been normal for this car, during this part of the seasons the past 16 years.
Had the car out for about an hour run each day...after a 10-15 minute warm up. Went through the gears once at WOT, and noticed the 'oil temperature' gauge had rose about 10* to 224* from it's normal of 210-214* levels. This too is normal.
Question: Is there a way to verify the 'temperature indicators' are correct?
If so, how would I go about doing?
I'm the original owner of this car, and I've only had to have the cluster panel serviced once, for guage lights going dim on me.
I'd appreciate any thoughts or observations you may have experienced in the past.
Thank you!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 12,182
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From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
Re: Temperature Display...'86 Vette (UDLUV12)
Hmm, hard to see how both oil temp and coolant temp senders could bad at the same time. Well, the first thing you've got to do is spend a couple hours cleaning the radiator. Check the tech tips section on the forum. There's an article there showing you how to clean the area in between the a/c cooler and the radiator. When I opened up my fan shroud, it shocked to see that over 30% of my radiators were blocked by leaves, cig butts, wrappers, and all sorts of crap! :eek: After cleaning, my car runs so much cooler it's not even funny. Give it a try, good luck.
- 1986 Original Owner -
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: North Yorkshire, England
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Re: Temperature Display...'86 Vette (UDLUV12)
It's nice to finally run across another original owner of an '86 Pacecar. When did you order your car? What is the sequence number? Do you still have your decals or are they on the car?
In answer to you question, the ECM reads temp from another sender. It is located at the front of the intake below the TB. Because it is in a different location from the guage sender, (passenger side head between 6&8) if everything were perfect you could expect a slight difference in readings. It should not be that much though. I've noticed no more than 5° difference on mine. To see what the ECM is reading, you'll need a scanner. I use diacom+. This will tell you if your guage sender is out to lunch. But the oil temp guage is also a good indication and did you say that this was also higher than normal? George's clean out suggestion is a the right way to go as it appears your temps are up. I do this as an annual PMI. But keep in mind we are talkling about comparing what you're used to seeing on the move in these temperatures. In traffic or at a standstill, regardless of outside temperature, the engine will still heat up until the ECM kicks on the main fan at around 225° (assuming stock chip) no matter what thermostat you have.
In answer to you question, the ECM reads temp from another sender. It is located at the front of the intake below the TB. Because it is in a different location from the guage sender, (passenger side head between 6&8) if everything were perfect you could expect a slight difference in readings. It should not be that much though. I've noticed no more than 5° difference on mine. To see what the ECM is reading, you'll need a scanner. I use diacom+. This will tell you if your guage sender is out to lunch. But the oil temp guage is also a good indication and did you say that this was also higher than normal? George's clean out suggestion is a the right way to go as it appears your temps are up. I do this as an annual PMI. But keep in mind we are talkling about comparing what you're used to seeing on the move in these temperatures. In traffic or at a standstill, regardless of outside temperature, the engine will still heat up until the ECM kicks on the main fan at around 225° (assuming stock chip) no matter what thermostat you have.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Re: Temperature Display...'86 Vette (Ray Quayle)
i think i would replace the tstat, sounds like it might be sticking a bit or isnt opening all the way
