Temperature incorrect on Comfortemp Display

[jackmalone2001]

Hi Everybody!

The Comfortemp Display on My 1999 Buick LeSabre, when I start it, shows a temperature of 82 degrees (in Cleveland, in January...Yeah right!) and slowley ticks down to about 60 or so in about thirty minutes.

It was 21 degrees on the morning commute this morning, so needless to say that the Comfortemp Display is incorrect/broken.

I have a 3.8l v-6 and 160k miles. Any Ideas? Thank you to all who respond!

jack

Also, how hard is it to replace the belt tensioner pully wheel. I am getting a progressively worse whining from that thing. Any hints would be helpful!

Thanks again!

Jack

[brcidd]

Most likely is the outside temperature sensor mounted out front of radiator and condenser behind grille- you can check the ristance at various temps to test it.

Is your temp display flashing for 2 minutes after key on? of so it has a code set.

Also check for broken wires at or near the outside temp sensor. I have seen wires broken a foot or so away- but display usually goes full scale and flashes when this happens.

[auto trainy]

The belt tensioner pulley comes off with the center bolt I cant remember if its left or right thread though,just make sure that you get a metal replacement the one I put on my 95 Olds was originally plastic, good luck

[HotZ28]

The tensioner bolt is a left-hand thread, turn it clockwise to loosen. The plastic pulley tends to be quieter than the metal pulley. There is no benefit to using a metal pulley, the bearings are the same and the bearings are what fail, not the pulley!

[auto trainy]

Hot Z,the only reason I suggested a metal replacement was from my own experience when I had a plastic one where the bearing had overheated and warped the pulley to the point where the belt could not stay on and luckly it did not overheat the engine and cause bigger problems since it happened on the Interstate at 65-70 mph.

[HotZ28]

The bearings are what fail, not the pulley. Either way, the pulley & bearing have to be replaced as a unit. The bearing in the metal pulleys are the same as the ones in plastic, so there is no real advantage to using the metal pulley. One common complaint from those who use metal pulleys, is the chirping noise from the belt. That is the major reason plastic pulleys were installed as original equipment.

[jackmalone2001]

THANKS EVERYBODY FOR RESPONDING! I think these forums are a God send for do it your self'ers.

When I turn the pully bolt clock wise to loosen it, is there a nut behind the pully? With the weather the way it is, I want to get out there with as much info as I can before I start shivering!

Thank you again everyone!

Jack

[auto trainy]

No nut,stay warm.