So, I finally got my aftermarket temp gauge installed and when the stock gauge reads normal (about half-way) the aftermarket gauge reads about 45 degrees! So, I'm wondering if my stock sender is faulty, would it be making the gauge read incorrectly, and therefore running the engine at the wrong temperature? And could this explain the strange issue I've had in the past where going down long slow hills on cold nights the stock gauge actually gets back down to nearly cold? Or is it more likely the A/M gauge that's faulty? Using Datascan the engine thinks it's running at mid 70 degrees, but could that also be fooled by a faulty sensor?
I'd say to let the car get hotter before you take a reading... I assume you just let it idle up to normal (stock temp gauge) mid scale? If so, go for a strap and try again - the stock gauge is very inaccurate - cold -> normal -> too hot and (possibly) too late... Re: going cold going down hills (or ranges mabe) at night - I've noticed this on occasions too - and I take it as a good sign that the cooling system is working well :thumbsup:
Engine temp The engine temp is controlled by the thermostat (mechanical) so a faulty temp sensor will not alter the operating temp. Your coolant should be at 45° after about 3 minutes of idle, and at operating temp, about 80°, after about 8 minutes of idle. Unless your thermostat is stuck open or something, I'd say there is an issue with your new guage. Give us some more info, what guage, what sensor, where is the sensor mounted?
Are you running the new guage off it's own sender or the stock one(will need to calibrate gauge to this sender) my after market guage reads 75-80 at normal operating temp
Forget the stock gauge for a minute >>> Does a/m gauge agree with NDScan? NDScan takes readings from ECU & primary CTS, whilst stock gauge uses it's own CTS.
Cheers. Looks like it's the A/M gauge then. It's an autogauge temperature gauge with it's own sender mounted in a 36mm adaptor in the top radiator hose. I'll double check with datascan but the last time I ran it operating temperature was around mid 70s.
