Engine Temperature
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 48
Engine Temperature
Hi I am working on my 1985 4 plus 3. The temperature gauge is saying "lo". So I grounded the wire to the sensor and the dash says 299 F. According to the SM it should say 330. Has anyone of you done this. Did the gauge read 330. I have already ordered a new sensor.
Thank you
Thank you
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,213
Likes: 1,173
From: Southlake, TX
You dash is old along with the wires. Connections are still good but probably showing a bit of resistance. I'd worry more about if my new sensor was (mostly) correct as you operate your engine.
I would not worry about it.
I would not worry about it.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 384
Likes: 144
From: Langton, Ontario, Canada
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I bought the same car in March. The temp gauge reads LO like yours until a recent heat wave and then it went wild and the engine overheated. Turns out the fans weren't coming on at all. I replaced the sensor for the fan relay and wired in a couple of manual switches to turn the fan relays on. I located them in the panel under the dash near the hood release. Now I leave a fan on when it's hot and haven't had a problem since. Anyway, while it was overheating, yes, I did get some high temperature numbers, going up toward 300 and change. I think it takes a lot of heat to register a reading on the dash.
Also, I ordered a new gauge sensor, and the part that came in was the fan switch. I tested my existing gauge sensor (in a pot of water on a stove with a ohmmeter across the contact and body) and it seemed to be working ok anyway. So, I replaced the switch (tested again same as before but it just goes on and off, not variable like the gauge one) and it all seems to be working fine now. As long as it says LO, I just keep on driving!
Also, I ordered a new gauge sensor, and the part that came in was the fan switch. I tested my existing gauge sensor (in a pot of water on a stove with a ohmmeter across the contact and body) and it seemed to be working ok anyway. So, I replaced the switch (tested again same as before but it just goes on and off, not variable like the gauge one) and it all seems to be working fine now. As long as it says LO, I just keep on driving!
