Water temp sensor accuracy

Discussion in 'Technical' started by taszed, Sep 26, 2008.

  1. taszed

    taszed New Member

    Hello gents,

    Got a quick question for those in the know...

    I know that the stock water temp gauge in the Z is rubbish, but I was wondering whether the actual water temp output of the ECU is accurate or not? What i'm getting at is:

    If I run a consult cable + pc and display the water temp gauge image on the monitor while I'm driving around, will that be as accurate as an aftermarket gauge and temp sensor?

    I await your words of wiZdom :bow2:
     
  2. heavytrevy

    heavytrevy "Hammer time "

    Mate u don't get any more accurate than running straight from the ecu :)

    Trev


     
  3. Caz1

    Caz1 New Member

    Hi Taszed,
    The stock temperature gauge in the zeds are not accurate but if your ECU temp sensor and connector are making good contact then the temp the ECU receives and acts on will be accurate.
    With a cable and PC what you see on there is from the ecu so yes it will be accurate.
    An aftermarket gauge will be accurate so long as it is a good quality one and installed correctly.
    Caz.. :)


     
  4. SIM300

    SIM300 FAKE MODERAT0R

    As I'm led to believe

    The sensor is fine (for the ECU), and a lot better than the stock gauge temp sensor.

    Makes sense, as the coolant temp sensor for the ECU is about twice the size as the gauge sensor :)
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2008
  5. taszed

    taszed New Member

    Thanks heavytrevy/Caz/SIM300! Exactly the info I was after.

    By the way SIM300 I saw you cruising past the ABC roundabout a while ago, car is looking sweet. I'm a fairly new zed owner, been mates with Ben (5K1TZX) since about grade 3... need to meet you and the other tassie zedders! Can't wait to go for a spin in Ben's Z with the new whizzers, should be finished very shortly!
     
  6. 2TurbosTwiceFun

    2TurbosTwiceFun Temporary Aussie

    Unless you go mechanical

    You cut the water temp pipe stick in a sensor and run wiring to your aftermarket gauge... EASY... well kinda :) :rolleyes: I think that will be more accurate, and I think Caz probably even has them for sale?!:biggrin:

     
  7. heavytrevy

    heavytrevy "Hammer time "

    An aftermarket guage is only as accurate as its calibration :rolleyes:
    nothing is as accurate as a direct reading from the ecu to a pc ;)

    If anything the reading from the ecu should be checked against the aftermarket guage and any differences noted .

    Regards
    Trev


     
  8. JEDI-77

    JEDI-77 Jedi Master

    I agree...

    My autometer water temp gauge reads about 4 degree's lower than what datascan displays.... I have checked and double checked the installation of the gauge along with making sure its properly grounded.... but thats just the way it is. I have now learnt where it sits when everything is normal, and where it sits in hot weather. Anything outside of those ranges and I know I have a problem.

     
  9. pexzed

    pexzed Forum Administrator

    You could probably get one of those heat sensing guns and point it at the top radiator hard pipe to get an exact reading, but I expect the CTS to be more than accurate enough.
    Like Mark says, any gauge can be a little in-accurate, but you get used to where any after market gauge will sit in it's "normal" range.
     
  10. taszed

    taszed New Member

    Thanks peoples!

    The plan is to do a permanent touchscreen installation. I'll run a laptop with datascan initially (because I got a cheapie through work) and if I like it I'll get a car PC when all the vibrations finally kill the laptop. Does anyone else have this setup? (permanant datascan installation running constantly?) Would be interested in pics/thoughts, also interested if anyone has experience with the cheap 7-8" ebay touchscreens they could share?

    Thanks again for all of your input!! This forum rules.
     
  11. heavytrevy

    heavytrevy "Hammer time "

    Keep in mind Pex for the heatgun (laser) to be accurate it has to be calibrated for the material its being shot at whether it be rubber or various types of alloy ,cast iron,glass etc,
    also these guns have a degree of error built in from the factory +/- 2%
    depends on the type/brand of gun.
    Ive compared my gun with Fleets and yes it reads different :zlove:

    Nothing is as accurate as the reading from the ecu via pc ;)

    Trev

     
  12. Chad_

    Chad_ Well-Known Member

    easy fix mark. go and get a 100turn trimpot from dicksmiths or alike. its pretty much an adjustable resister which you will connect in line with the sensor, and then just turn the knob to get it reading exactly what the ecu reads. double check this that when cold all the way through to hot it is exactly the same as what the ecu reads. this is saying that your guage doesnt read something like 4degrees more at cold and then say after 80degrees it is normal, then it wont work as the trimpot will make it 4degrees more through the whole range... but if as you say it is about 4degrees through the whole range then the trimpot will fix your problem ;) ;)
     
  13. TAZ

    TAZ The Luv Z

    Tassie Zedders

    Hi taszed,

    Just a quick note to let you know that we were speaking with Ben about 4 weeks ago and we were talking about getting the Tassie zedders together for a few drives, etc.

    We live in Hobart and, like you, have only owned a zed for a short while.

    If you're interested in a few cruises, let us know.

    Cheers.

    Tandja and Rod:biggrin:


     
  14. SIM300

    SIM300 FAKE MODERAT0R

    Don't do it via Ben...

    Geez that boy is unreliable :rolleyes: Name a time and place, & I'll be there with a glass in each hand :D
     
  15. r33k

    r33k 'I reek of Englishness'

    wouldnt it be cool to put a digital readout in place of the inacurate stock water temp guage...
     
  16. NewKleer

    NewKleer Active Member

    consult cable + pc sounds more expensive than one of these (ignore red/white buttons):

    http://www.ecutalk.com/consultlcd.aspx

    has an onboard buzzer so in a future firmware update it should have audible alerts (e.g. you could set up temp alert). theres about 20 left from first batch

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  17. taszed

    taszed New Member

    Yeh thought about one of those, nice and neat and I may get one and use it as a consult cable but the PC offers a bit more flexibility like DVD player, MP3, full datascan logging etc, a Next G internet connection so that you lot can answer my q
     
  18. taszed

    taszed New Member

    Yeh thought about one of those, nice and neat and I may get one and use it instead of a consult cable but the PC offers a bit more flexibility like DVD/DivX player, MP3, full datascan logging etc, a Next G internet connection so that you lot can answer my questions in real time when I break down on the side of the road :D AND I can have nice pretty colourful analogue style gauges!
     
  19. jschrauwen

    jschrauwen My Fairlady Z

    Here's something that might help. Although he's using the blaZt.
    http://www.300zxclub.com/showthread.php?t=118941&highlight=pc
    [​IMG]
     

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