Screwy temperature gauge
#1
Screwy temperature gauge
Details:.. I have a 1990 GT with 48K miles. Engine bay is spotless. Vehicle is totally stock. When the car warms up I have noticed that the temperature gauge rides at the 1/2 mark most of the time. During stop and go traffic it will go up slightly to beween the 1/2 and 3/4 mark. When I turn on the headlights the gauge starts to climb to the 3/4 mark and stays there. When warm I unplugged the sending unit and the gauge went to the cold mark. Turned on the lights and it didn't move. Checked the cooling sysem and it appears OK. I have all the receips from previous owner and he had the cooling system flushed out 3 years ago and replaced the radiator cap. The car shows no signs of overheating.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated...Thanks for the help
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated...Thanks for the help
#4
I just got back from a long ride city stop/go traffic, stand still in a construction zone, and freeway driving. Temp gauge stayed just above 1/2 way...The temperature gauge rises to the "R" mark when on the freeway at 2 -2500 RPM..Truly confusing..
#5
Those Stock temperature gauges move all over the place I call it the dummy gauge ! Two things you can do. Install a new gauge or by a radiator cap temp gauge to see where you engine temp is at and compare the two?
#7
Mine runs anywhere from the middle to the top of the R. If you know your radiator is good, and there isn't any signs of overheating, don't worry about it. I had my radiator rodded out, and there wasn't any change. I'd prefer to see the gauge running below the middle, but the gauge doesn't appear to be calibrated that way. A new sending unit might make a difference. An easy test is, to get one of those infrared guns that tell you the temperature of whatever you point them at. There pretty cheap at the chain auto parts stores.
#10
Like my original post stated the temp gauge moves upward toward the "R" mark upon turning on the headlights. I was told that it its likely possible the sending unit was the cause. Tried to start with the simple remedy by changing it, that's why I did.