Lo temp reading on gauges
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 29
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Lo temp reading on gauges
On my gauge cluster, my temperature reading for my coolant and oil register as Lo and does not change no matter how long I drive. Does the coolant temp sensor need to be changed or is it something in the gauge cluster that transfers the electrical impulses from the sensors to a digital readout?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Re: Lo temp reading on gauges (z51spdr)
The sending units are usually either pressure or resistance related. Pressure units convert liquid pressure into an electrical signal which is sent to the gage. Resistance type units are most often used to measure temperature, and use variable resistance to control the current flow back to the gage. Since you are concerned with temperature, the problem (if you have one) is either with the sensor or the gage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 869
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From: Nashua NH
Re: Lo temp reading on gauges (z51spdr)
Does the engine get hot to the touch or stay cool? There is another post here about a bad/open thermostat causing a similar problem.
[Modified by Sandy S, 10:11 PM 1/25/2003]
[Modified by Sandy S, 10:11 PM 1/25/2003]
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Re: Lo temp reading on gauges (Sandy S)
The engine still gets warm.....The thermostat isn't stuck open.....I've even tried disconnecting my radiator fan to see if it would get it any warmer but it just continuously reads Lo
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 68
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From: Bristol Tn
Re: Lo temp reading on gauges (z51spdr)
If the oil and coolant temps are low, that can only mean that the engine is not heating up. If engine is started after sitting, how long does it take for it to start making HOT air inside the car? Thermostat has be stuck open, opening too soon or missing. for both readings to be low.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
From: Nashua NH
Re: Lo temp reading on gauges (z51spdr)
I am not familiar with that year be prepared for stupid questions.
Does your car have separate analog and digital readings? If so are they both low? I could not tell from the discussion.
If they disagree it could be the sending unit. Frequently, there are either separate sending units for the digial and analog readouts or there are separate sensors build into the same unit. A wiring diagram will show. However, it really seems unlikely that 2 units are bad in the same way at the same time. You could try replacing the easiest one to reach.
If you don't have digial and analog readouts to compare, I would try to find another way to measure the temperature. Perhaps you could measure it on the outside of the radiator hose where it leaves the engine.
My digital oil temp reads fine but the analog oil temp reads on the low side. It has a dual sending unit so I replaced it. But it didn't help. The connector and wires look fine too so now I just live with it.
Does your car have separate analog and digital readings? If so are they both low? I could not tell from the discussion.
If they disagree it could be the sending unit. Frequently, there are either separate sending units for the digial and analog readouts or there are separate sensors build into the same unit. A wiring diagram will show. However, it really seems unlikely that 2 units are bad in the same way at the same time. You could try replacing the easiest one to reach.
If you don't have digial and analog readouts to compare, I would try to find another way to measure the temperature. Perhaps you could measure it on the outside of the radiator hose where it leaves the engine.
My digital oil temp reads fine but the analog oil temp reads on the low side. It has a dual sending unit so I replaced it. But it didn't help. The connector and wires look fine too so now I just live with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 0
From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Re: Lo temp reading on gauges (nisstek)
If the oil and coolant temps are low, that can only mean that the engine is not heating up. If engine is started after sitting, how long does it take for it to start making HOT air inside the car? Thermostat has be stuck open, opening too soon or missing. for both readings to be low.
:cheers:
:cheers:
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 159
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From: Lusby MD
Re: Lo temp reading on gauges (flyersfan1088)
I have a similiar situation. But my coolant gauge does work when not moving.
1. I have a 160 t-stat with bypass fan switch installed.
2. When driving the temp stays eerily low, but if parked or stuck in traffic coolant temp will rise till either I or the auto function kick on the fans.
3. Oil temp never rises more than (ballpark) 2% of gauge it does deflect after the engine is warm but just slightly. the car does have a an oil cooler.
Is my oil temp gauge off? or can the oil remain that cool with the engine coolant rising high enough to trip the fans.
:seeya
1. I have a 160 t-stat with bypass fan switch installed.
2. When driving the temp stays eerily low, but if parked or stuck in traffic coolant temp will rise till either I or the auto function kick on the fans.
3. Oil temp never rises more than (ballpark) 2% of gauge it does deflect after the engine is warm but just slightly. the car does have a an oil cooler.
Is my oil temp gauge off? or can the oil remain that cool with the engine coolant rising high enough to trip the fans.
:seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
Re: Lo temp reading on gauges (Rays91L98)
My '91 does very closely the same as yours Ray. Water temp rises only about 1/3 unless I am stuck in traffick when it goes way up, the oil temp only rises about 1/10 and never more. This started happening about a year ago. It is not the sensors as I have changed them. There could be some grounding problems or maybe the gauges are just broken?
I am getting my AutoXray scanner tomorrow so I can check if it shows correct water and oil temp then the gauges could be faulty. Can't find help in the shop manual as I don't get any codes. Ideas how to continue?
Regards,
Toni
I am getting my AutoXray scanner tomorrow so I can check if it shows correct water and oil temp then the gauges could be faulty. Can't find help in the shop manual as I don't get any codes. Ideas how to continue?
Regards,
Toni
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
Re: Lo temp reading on gauges (ToniH)
Well I scanned my car at idle. My oil and water temp rised normally. When the water hit 228F the fan#1 kicked in, oil was 199F at this time. Water temp started to drop right away. When this was going on the water gauge was indicating high temp but the oil gauge was still at 1/10 position.
So, the oil temp gauge might be busted. I still have to check for ground problems but it is looking bad... :(
So, Ray as a answer to your question: yes your oil temp gauge is also off. The oil is not that cold. I too have the oil cooler but temp still goes up to 200F with the gauge staying low.
Regards,
Toni
So, the oil temp gauge might be busted. I still have to check for ground problems but it is looking bad... :(
So, Ray as a answer to your question: yes your oil temp gauge is also off. The oil is not that cold. I too have the oil cooler but temp still goes up to 200F with the gauge staying low.
Regards,
Toni
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Lusby MD
Re: Lo temp reading on gauges (ToniH)
Well I scanned my car at idle. My oil and water temp rised normally. When the water hit 228F the fan#1 kicked in, oil was 199F at this time. Water temp started to drop right away. When this was going on the water gauge was indicating high temp but the oil gauge was still at 1/10 position.
So, the oil temp gauge might be busted. I still have to check for ground problems but it is looking bad... :(
So, Ray as a answer to your question: yes your oil temp gauge is also off. The oil is not that cold. I too have the oil cooler but temp still goes up to 200F with the gauge staying low.
Regards,
Toni
So, the oil temp gauge might be busted. I still have to check for ground problems but it is looking bad... :(
So, Ray as a answer to your question: yes your oil temp gauge is also off. The oil is not that cold. I too have the oil cooler but temp still goes up to 200F with the gauge staying low.
Regards,
Toni
I didn't think the oil could remain that cold when running in traffic :crazy: But the needle did deflect some kept me guessing. Have to look into getting a new gauge myself.
Thanks Toni
:seeya
