C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Digital coolant temp vs. Auto temp

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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 08:28 PM
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Default Digital coolant temp vs. Auto temp

1996 LT1 Corvette

I know this is quite the odd question, but have never been able to get the right answer.

What's the difference between the digital COOLANT TEMP vs. DIGITAL AUTO TEMP?

I notice quite the 20 degree difference between the two. The Coolant temp stays between 190-230 depending on driving conditions. But the AUTO TEMP digital gauge reads 245+ at times.

s
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 08:36 PM
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There are two different coolant sensors, I forget which is which but I think the one on the water pump is the digital and the one on the block is the analog.

The digital one is more accurate as a reference point.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by xole
There are two different coolant sensors, I forget which is which but I think the one on the water pump is the digital and the one on the block is the analog.

The digital one is more accurate as a reference point.
No, i'm talking about only the digital readings.....as you cycle thru the digital readouts you get the following: AUTO TEMP, OIL TEMP, COOLANT TEMP. What's the diff between the Auto and the Coolant?
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 08:49 PM
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I think that is transmission temp which was added for 95/96. I do not have it on my 94.
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Old Jun 29, 2010 | 10:49 PM
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Originally Posted by skaryvette
1996 LT1 Corvette

I know this is quite the odd question, but have never been able to get the right answer.

What's the difference between the digital COOLANT TEMP vs. DIGITAL AUTO TEMP?

I notice quite the 20 degree difference between the two. The Coolant temp stays between 190-230 depending on driving conditions. But the AUTO TEMP digital gauge reads 245+ at times.

s
I don't have the trans temp gauge in mine (6-speed), but here is the page from the owners manual.


If you don't have an owner's manual, you can download one here:
http://www.gmpartshouse.com/download...96corvette.pdf
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Old Jun 30, 2010 | 12:11 AM
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Originally Posted by RollaMo-LT4
I don't have the trans temp gauge in mine (6-speed), but here is the page from the owners manual.


If you don't have an owner's manual, you can download one here:
http://www.gmpartshouse.com/download...96corvette.pdf
THANKS A BUNCH, I Can't believe I didn't realize that that was the transmission fluid temp! Never got an owners manual when I bought the car......i feel so stupid! I'm sure if GM has just used the abbreviation TRAN instead of AUTO i would have figured it out years ago!
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Old Jun 30, 2010 | 12:37 AM
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Don't feel that way. That's what so great about the forum. We were all new owners at one time or another and we've all learned from those who came before us

It says auto because as RollaMo pointed out its only in cars with an automatic trans. The reason for this is that the auto trans by its nature slips causing friction & thus heat. This heat builds up and needs to be monitored. Many of us who have installed higher stall torque converters in our cars have had to add an aux auto trans cooler to keep the temps down. I recently had a "plate" type installed and it lowered the temps a average of 40 degrees in my daily commute.

Last edited by Mr. Peabody; Jun 30, 2010 at 12:41 AM.
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Old Jun 30, 2010 | 12:11 PM
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For future reference here is a link to the 96 owners manual, courtesy of forum vendor GM Parts House.

http://www.gmpartshouse.com/download...96corvette.pdf
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Old Jun 30, 2010 | 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by toptechx6
For future reference here is a link to the 96 owners manual, courtesy of forum vendor GM Parts House.

http://www.gmpartshouse.com/download...96corvette.pdf
I gave him the same link in my post.
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