Low coolant and temp gauge not working?

ab 281 gt · Dec 26, 2004

Hey guys I went to go look at a 95 gt the other day and it has been sitting for about two weeks. It started up fine and sounded good. However inside we noticed that the low coolant light was on and the temperature gauge was completely to the left and was not working. I was wondering what this could be as I checked the coolant level and it looked normal. My dad suggested it could be a bad sensor. Is that a possibility? I'm hoping to buy the car soon so I want to make sure it is not a big problem before I buy it.

stprorolla49 · Dec 26, 2004

yea...my coolant temp also goes on and off sporadically so i just check the coolant every week of so, and its never low.....alos my water temp and oil pressure gauges were shot so i just got 2 autometers in the a-pillar to replace em.....

HISSIN50 · Dec 26, 2004

on your cars, is 'to the left' on cold or hot? if cold, i would check the sender and see if the wire is attached. if it is pegged on hot, i would chase the wire and look for a short to ground.

good luck.

ab 281 gt · Dec 26, 2004

left is cold... it just looks like a wire is loose or the sensor needs to be replaced because it is not even between the cold and hot symbols. I was just wondering if it could be linked to any other big problems.

HISSIN50 · Dec 26, 2004

dfhurleydude182 said:
left is cold... it just looks like a wire is loose or the sensor needs to be replaced because it is not even between the cold and hot symbols. I was just wondering if it could be linked to any other big problems.

ok that sounds like an open wire. and as to your question, that is kind of the problem. you really dont know what is goin on with the gauge or motor. it would take extraneous signs to see if it was runnin too hot. if you have an infrared thermometer, that could help you get an idea of the radiator coil temp, etc.

good luck with the possible purchase.

sldghmr · Dec 27, 2004

stprorolla49 said:
yea...my coolant temp also goes on and off sporadically so i just check the coolant every week of so, and its never low.....alos my water temp and oil pressure gauges were shot so i just got 2 autometers in the a-pillar to replace em.....

Check for a bad ground wire going to/from the guage cluster. I had this same problem and ended u having to fab a new ground stap from the back of engine to firewall.

94GTLaserRC · Dec 27, 2004

Look!!

Dont decide on the car or not because of a temp gauge. If it's not working, and you want the car, offer them less $$, and put in the Autometer gauge...Those stock ones are not accurate anyway. As far as the coolant light, it "could" be the sensor, but it could also just be that the fluid level is low in the bottle.

I have both the stock AND Autometer temp gauges on...I ONLY use the stock one now as a "reference" for what I see on the Autometer gauge.

GL!!
RC

stprorolla49 · Dec 27, 2004

i agree totally with RC....when i bought my 95 they were askin 6000 for a 94k mi. car with broken ac/ broken cd player/ broken gauges/and 2 tires were shot.....also the paint on the lil scoop on the hood was peeling, and the taillite bezels were faded a lot....so we talked down the price to 4500 and ive never been happier....i knew that i could fix all that stuff for less than 1500 and i can.....(except for the a/c)...saved a lil weight!!

ab 281 gt · Dec 27, 2004

I would much rather keep the stock gauges as I am not much for the big tachs and such... So I was hoping to just fix the gauge itself.. And also I won't mind fixing that... however the clutch is gonna have to be replaced pretty soon and the front bumper and left side skirt both need to be repainted. Everything else in the car besides the stuff I've mentioned is in great condition.

94GTLaserRC · Dec 27, 2004

dfhurleydude182 said:
I would much rather keep the stock gauges as I am not much for the big tachs and such... So I was hoping to just fix the gauge itself.. And also I won't mind fixing that... however the clutch is gonna have to be replaced pretty soon and the front bumper and left side skirt both need to be repainted. Everything else in the car besides the stuff I've mentioned is in great condition.

I understand about wanting it stock, but the Autometer gauge is way more accurate, and you can get a single A-PIllar pod to put it on. Dont worry about exterior cosmetics when buying it, unless there is "structural" or "frame" damage. Clutches go anyway....Make an offer and go from there!
RC

ab 281 gt · Dec 27, 2004

Could you post a picture of the autometer gauge in your car or just what it looks like in general. And also how much did you get yours for?

94GTLaserRC · Dec 27, 2004

dfhurleydude182 said:
Could you post a picture of the autometer gauge in your car or just what it looks like in general. And also how much did you get yours for?

Here you go....you can see in the pic the stock one still works, and where 180* lies on the stock gauge.

I didnt get anything for mine...I still have it!

But Summit gets I think $40/$50 or so. Then you need the Pod, which is about $20. I have a single pod lying around here still, I think
RC

HISSIN50 · Dec 27, 2004

i think you guys can also use the gauges that go below the stock instrument panel (maybe RIO has those?). i think those are pretty low-key and a nice place perhaps to put a gauge or two.

as everyone said, the stock gauges are not nearly as accurate as aftermarket, which is the reason to upgrade.

you can go to any online speed shop and look at the pretty gauges. many are 2" or a little larger - not too intrusive.

good luck.

stprorolla49 · Dec 28, 2004

yea...if you want something low key, go with a setup like paul (killer) has....hes got 2 gauges mounted in the intrument cluster...i would have done that if the cluster with the gauge inserts wasn't like 65 bucks.......but if money isn't an issue do that

tderrick · Dec 29, 2004

My Low Coolant light has also been coming on in cold weather...

What what be a good way to simply disable it?

94GTLaserRC · Dec 29, 2004

tderrick said:
My Low Coolant light has also been coming on in cold weather...

What what be a good way to simply disable it?

Fill your reservoir bottle.
RC

tderrick · Dec 29, 2004

of course the bottle is full!

I'm not quite THAT stupid!

94GTLaserRC · Dec 30, 2004

tderrick said:
of course the bottle is full!

I'm not quite THAT stupid!

I know youre new on these boards, so you havent seen how many "common things" are overlooked when people do work, and Im talking people who know enough to change their heads/cam, then forget to plug the coil wire in when theyre done. Some people dont know that the senser is in the reservoir bottle...so didnt mean it as an insult.

RC

tderrick · Dec 30, 2004

None taken, my brother!

I realise it usually IS the most simple thing when searching for automotive
problems.

I didn't mean to come across as an Ass.

As it turned out , it ended up being the corroded contacts on the end of sensor!

thanks for the help

Low coolant and temp gauge not working?

New Member

Active Member

"How long does it take to get help in here?

New Member

"How long does it take to get help in here?

Member

Squint as you approach, lest you be blinded by my

Active Member

New Member

Squint as you approach, lest you be blinded by my

New Member

Squint as you approach, lest you be blinded by my

Attachments

"How long does it take to get help in here?

Active Member

Member

Squint as you approach, lest you be blinded by my

Member

Squint as you approach, lest you be blinded by my

Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency