Temperature sensor?
Mr_Tastyfish
10-24-2006, 10:32 PM
New to the forums, and new to my Tracker. I recently bought a '95 4X4 LSi and have been loving it. Today I got a little freaked out when I noticed my coolant temperature drop from normal to nothing in an instant! I'm sure this is only an instrument problem, since there's no possible way temeratures could fluctuate that quickly. The guage will occasionally jump back up to normal operating temp. for a moment, then drop back to nothing. My problem is that I cannot locate the sensor. Can anyone give me some help here?
HeavyJ
10-25-2006, 12:51 AM
should see it on the passenger side, on the engine just below the rad hose neck.
cheyenne'88
10-25-2006, 08:42 PM
Maybe try to check the sensor, before you replace it.
Just as likely the gauge contacts need to be cleaned. They collect corrosion thruogh the years. Most of my gauges are twisted. (or at least, unreliable) It's nice to know what your engine temp is, though!
Is there a seperate sensor for the gauge and the ecm? On my Chevy truck, there is.
Try this: Put the sensor in a pan of water on the stove, and measure resistance (ohms) as the water heats up. Ohms should increase as water heats up.
:2cents:
Just as likely the gauge contacts need to be cleaned. They collect corrosion thruogh the years. Most of my gauges are twisted. (or at least, unreliable) It's nice to know what your engine temp is, though!
Is there a seperate sensor for the gauge and the ecm? On my Chevy truck, there is.
Try this: Put the sensor in a pan of water on the stove, and measure resistance (ohms) as the water heats up. Ohms should increase as water heats up.
:2cents:
viperh
10-26-2006, 03:44 PM
Maybe try to check the sensor, before you replace it.
Just as likely the gauge contacts need to be cleaned. They collect corrosion thruogh the years. Most of my gauges are twisted. (or at least, unreliable) It's nice to know what your engine temp is, though!
Is there a seperate sensor for the gauge and the ecm? On my Chevy truck, there is.
Try this: Put the sensor in a pan of water on the stove, and measure resistance (ohms) as the water heats up. Ohms should increase as water heats up.
:2cents:
Good call also check for a giant air bubble in your coolant. Run then engine with the radiator cap off and watch for bubbles when the car reaches normal operating temprature and your thermostat opens. An Air pocket moving in the coolant will cause your temp to go from normal to nothing in an instant. If its not an air bubble nor the sensor check the wiring.
Just as likely the gauge contacts need to be cleaned. They collect corrosion thruogh the years. Most of my gauges are twisted. (or at least, unreliable) It's nice to know what your engine temp is, though!
Is there a seperate sensor for the gauge and the ecm? On my Chevy truck, there is.
Try this: Put the sensor in a pan of water on the stove, and measure resistance (ohms) as the water heats up. Ohms should increase as water heats up.
:2cents:
Good call also check for a giant air bubble in your coolant. Run then engine with the radiator cap off and watch for bubbles when the car reaches normal operating temprature and your thermostat opens. An Air pocket moving in the coolant will cause your temp to go from normal to nothing in an instant. If its not an air bubble nor the sensor check the wiring.
Mr_Tastyfish
10-29-2006, 09:10 PM
Thanks for the input folks. Checking the sensor was exactly what I had in mind (since I'm a cheap guy and don't like to replace things until I'm sure they're not working) I just couldn't figure out where the darn thing was!
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