Temp Gauge

My water temp gauge doesnt work. could it be its just bad or could the ground be bad in it? and if so how can i tell? and were can i get one

Probably the sensor itself...

yr ? model ? engine ?

check wire to sensor. may have come off, been stretched, corroded at tab needing cleaning, or burnt somewhere close to hot surface.

sensor is likely on top near where big upper rad hose connects to thermostat housing. gets hot up there, if wire resting near hot surface may be fried.

while you're at it. i'd change the $5-$10 thermostat since it goes long way to longer engine and hose life and such. when i 1st got my '83 s10 2.8v6 in 2000 i didn't know proper running temp. it was showing around 180-200f. tranny would over heat on highway climbing hills, bubbling out of tranny dip tube. hoses were going too. after putting in 160f thermosat, oddly, it never shows more then 120f on temp gauge. still puts out inside heat with -10f outside temps. cooler running temp gotta be better for long run i think. manual says as well as new thermostat gasket use self curing (no air needed to set) rtv gasket sealer gel to insure good seal.

Running at lower temperatures is not better in the long run, it increases engine wear. I explain how in this thread. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=316786

Running at lower temperatures is not better in the long run, it increases engine wear. I explain how in this thread. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=316786

Interesting reading in that thread link. Thanks.

Im going to replace the thermostat here probably this week or next. I'll look for that wire thingy. what color is it? Its a 91 s10 4.3 w/ tbi

Im going to replace the thermostat here probably this week or next. I'll look for that wire thingy. what color is it? Its a 91 s10 4.3 w/ tbi

Dark green, likely. Just look around top front of engine where large rad hose connects which is likely where coolant temp sensor is. About the size of a spark plug.

i posted this before but i don't remember what was reccommended: i have the same problem with my oil pressure gauge... I know i have oil, i changed it on wednesday... im not too worried about it, but it would be nice to have working again. The gague stopped working when a friend was helping me with on oil change. How simple would it be to fix?? how much money??

okay, back to the temp gauge thread. the sender is right next to the therm. housing. cant miss it. it screws into the intake man. has 2 wires running to it(one green,one black).

i posted this before but i don't remember what was reccommended: i have the same problem with my oil pressure gauge... I know i have oil, i changed it on wednesday... im not too worried about it, but it would be nice to have working again. The gague stopped working when a friend was helping me with on oil change. How simple would it be to fix?? how much money??

it' lower left on engine where my oil filter is. he likely broke or knocked off the wire to it changing your filter.