Engine Temp Problem

[david-b]

Hey all;
For the past couple months, I've noticed on my dash the engine temp gauge not working right. When I shut off the car, it used to go down to nothing. Now it stays where it was at when the car was on. It also no longer fully warms up. Normal temp was always half ways. Never gets there. Is this hooked up to the coolant temp?

I noticed this started happening after I over heated the engine once. According to the logger though, the coolant temp is fine. Anything I should be worried about here?

[SLoe]

Get a new gauge????

[david-b]

That's what I was thinking of doing. lol.

[SLoe]

It's a good excuse for an aftermarket gauge anyway.

[gthompson97]

Does the gauge move at all or is just stuck on one place?

[david-b]

It used to move a little. When I would turn on the car it would go down to the bottom and raise up to about a quarter. Now it moves about 1/4 to about 1/4 and a half. Very little movement.

[gthompson97]

I would guess either the gauge or the sending unit. It's most likely not a mechanical problem being as you said your logger shows it correctly.

[david-b]

I'm thinking I'll just buy a new guage. Question, where do the sending units hook up to? Or can I tap the stocker?

[david-b]

Also a stupid question, is that oil temp or coolant temp?

[Killa]

My rs use to do that, I change the thermostat and it work find.

[gthompson97]

Coolant temp, and IIRC, you'll have to drill a new hole in the housing and screw the sending unit in there, I don't think you can tap the stocker, I guess it also depends on what kind of gauge you get.

You could also try getting a new/different cluster, but then your mileage won't be correct.

[Mikelb]

does your logger show the coolant temp being low???
if so, try simply replacing the thermostat... it could be stuck open... also, check the wires going to the sender... they may be pinched or have come loose...

[david-b]

Changing the cluster is easy. You can always "adjust" the mileage to what you have. I've rebuild 3 of these clusters already for myself and other people because something or other didn't work, like the odometer or trip or something.

I'm going to check all the wires and everything right now. And later when I goto work I'm going to pay close attention to the logger to see what it says. Last night it was saying about 180-190 I believe.

[Mikelb]

wish you luck... keep us posted

[david-b]

All the wires checked out fine. So when I goto work I'm going to check the logger.