Temperature Gauge

I have a 2002 Sentra SpecV
I have this problem with my temperature needle that always stays at Cold.

I've seen it move once between hot and cold when driving, it was when i was revving the car more. I ususally shift at around 2,700-3,300 rpm.
but this one time i was revving at around 3,500-4k rpm when driving

I believe the car was like this when i purchased it, but not sure.
is there a temperature on the engine where i can check if the cable is loose? or if something is bad?
thanks

try running up the redline every now and then, she will thank you for it

I have a 2002 Sentra SpecV
I have this problem with my temperature needle that always stays at Cold.

I've seen it move once between hot and cold when driving, it was when i was revving the car more. I ususally shift at around 2,700-3,300 rpm.
but this one time i was revving at around 3,500-4k rpm when driving

I believe the car was like this when i purchased it, but not sure.
is there a temperature on the engine where i can check if the cable is loose? or if something is bad?
thanks

I havnt really worked on a new sentra but by default your ECT sensor should be there by your thermostat housing.....make sure it is plugged up and ohm test it to see if it is open or has way to much resistance..... refer to a manual for specs at what it should be at a given temp...i dont have them handy right now...... this will tell you if your ect is bad or it is in the wireing some where.....


Kevin

last night, i was shifting at 5,800rpm but temperature needle didn't move (redline is at 6,300rpm)

i'm a newbie at this car stuff,
i do have a DMM.

do you know if i have to take out anything to test the thermostat?
here's a picture of my engine,
i also found some light blue/yellowish powder on my battery, i'm guessing that's some sort of acid, and doesn't look good.

would you be able to point out where the thermostat is at?

Engine.jpg (http://www2.hawaii.edu/~lui/images/Car/engineb.jpg) (62kb)

ok.
i just brought my car to the radiator shop to have them run tests, they ruled it out to not be the sensor, thermostat works fine, the coollant is there. and then they kinda gave up and said it was the guagues, but during testing, the gagues did move..

now i have to bring it to nissan to check it, $99 just to do the check.

just came back from my friend's house. When i turn on the engine. the needle went all the way to HOT, and stayed there for 10-20 seconds, then dropped to dead cold, and stayed there.

should i still flush my coolant before going?

it sounds like a faulty wire or connection between the coolant temp sensor and the guage somewhere. id say use an ohmmeter between the sensor connector and the connection at the back of the guage. it should read around 0 ohms. wiggle the wires while the car is running and have someone watch the guage and see if it moves. this doesnt sound like a sensor problem or anything else like a thermostat or anything. it definitely sounds like an electrical issue

that's most likely it,
but i can't find anyone who will do it other than Nissan, which, i'd have to pay $99 for them to fool around, then another $XXX to fix the damn thing.

I'd do it myself if i had the knowledge.

finally got it fixed,
the ECU was the problem
didn't cost me a dime, still under the 8 year warranty

anyone know what else is covered under that?

hmmmm didnt know the ECU would be covered. usually its a powertrain warranty, so anything related to engine/trans should be covered