Temp gage, sending unit or thermostat?

[Sign Guy]

I reviewed the other temp gage thread and mine isn't the same. My temp gage works but stays in very low (area is where the line to the C is). Sometimes it will go above a little and come down a little but hover around the C. Temps lately have been in the 20's but still I think it should go higher. I do have heat coming out of the heater. No issues with overflow. I'll go out and try the "ground the wire" routine. I think it might be the sending unit what do you guys think? - Bueller? Bueller?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

sounds like pretty normal operation to me. the factory temp gauge isnt very accurate.

if your worried, hit the t-stat housing with an IR thermometer to varify the engine is getting up to operating temp (190-200 degrees after several minutes of highway driving).

 

[Sign Guy]

Good idea, What a dumb ash! why didn't I think of that

I did go out and stick a wire in the 2nd hole of the wire connector to the sending unit and grounded it. The gage came up about 3/8" further up the gage, when I removed it the gage went back to "C"

The air coming out of the heater is warm not HOT. I had a civic that would roast you out of the car and I don't drive the truck all that much so I don't remember if it gets roasting hot or not?

Current temp out is about 34 and snowing. I might just head out and use my IR thermometer like you suggest and see what the reading is.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

I did go out and stick a wire in the 2nd hole of the wire connector to the sending unit and grounded it. The gage came up about 3/8" further up the gage, when I removed it the gage went back to "C"

the gauge sending unit only has one wire going to it. the unit with 2 wires going to it is for the PCM. you grounded the unit with only one wire, right?

if so, and it only went up to 3/8 scale then you could have a grounding problem somewhere. the gauge should peg the hot end of the scale when you ground it. if it doesnt that means there is still resistance between the wire and ground.

 

[HndMeDnBroncoII]

what temp thermostat is in there?mine stays around the c as well

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the stock is either a 190 or 195.

 

[Sign Guy]

I think it's the thermostat. Took out the IR thermometer and ran the engine for a while and the main pipe on where the thermostat is was running 120-130 degrees and very warm to the touch while the hose going to the heater was cool and showed about 85 degrees. Exhaust temp was hitting 330 on the exhaust manifold. Thats good enough for me to go get a new thermostat. At least it stopped snowing.

I'm going for the 195 degree unit.

 

[cocoasranger]

Post your results after installing the new 195 stat. I am curious since I have the same symptoms and have never checked what stat is in my engine. Thanks.