Temp gauge needle drops below 130 when car is running.

[johnnyemac]

I wanted to ask for some advice/opinions.

I recently purchased a 93 LX 5.0 on steroids, close to 500 RWHP.

The temp needle drops out of site when ignition is turned to run. When the ignition is off, the needle sits at about 160. I disconnected the wires from the sending unit and grounded the wires, no change. Before I upgrade to an autometer gauge I wanted to ask for any advice, next steps in testing. I really don't want to take the dash apart to test the gauge if I don't have to.



Thanks in advance to anyone that replies.

 

[No.11]

could be the coolant temp sender is bad? similar thing was happening with my oil gauge. when I unplugged the wire from the sender, the guts came out and stayed on the sender...

 

[johnnyemac]

I figured it out.

Thanks for the reply. It was the temp sending unit after-all.