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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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Water temp sensor problems.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Numbles
  • Start date Start date Sep 8, 2004

Numbles

Active Member
Dec 10, 2003
998
0
36
Chicago, IL
Sep 8, 2004
#1
  • Sep 8, 2004
  • #1
My water temp guage isn't working anymore. Well sometimes. When it started to go out I could tap the guage cluster and it would work again. Then I would have to apply pressure to the guage cluster for it to work. Now it works maybe for about 5 seconds on a whole night of cruising.

I havent had much time to chase the problem but after I polished my Eddy Performer Intake and put it on, Im now trying to solve this. Thanks to Robin AKA go-stang for selling my the intake. The upper is ported a little too.

Today I took the guage cluster and everything looked fine. Nothing freyed off or cut. So I have no clue where to look to solve this.

Anyone delt with this before.

Thanks in advance
Dan.
 

Numbles

Active Member
Dec 10, 2003
998
0
36
Chicago, IL
Sep 8, 2004
#2
  • Sep 8, 2004
  • #2
Anyone?
 

chrismillion

20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 4, 2004
259
0
16
Sep 9, 2004
#3
  • Sep 9, 2004
  • #3
check the coolant temperature sending unit, located at the front of the intake manifold on the right side of the distributor, it might need changing and its cheap as hell. get that out the way before anything else, since it reads the temperature that the gauge indicates.
 

stang_gt_1994

Founding Member
Mar 21, 2002
2,723
0
0
Powder Springs, GA (30 min. from Atlanta)
Sep 9, 2004
#4
  • Sep 9, 2004
  • #4
How about testing it? Use a DMM and test the volts then the engine is cold. The volts should read high when cold(ie. 4-5v) and low when at operating temp(ie. 4-.6v). Don't throw parts untill they stick.
 

Numbles

Active Member
Dec 10, 2003
998
0
36
Chicago, IL
Sep 9, 2004
#5
  • Sep 9, 2004
  • #5
I honestly dont thing its the actual sensor because of the way the guage acts. Before when it didn't work, I could put pressure on the face of the guade cluster right on the guage and it would work. Then when I took me hand off, It wouldn't.

I could try a new temp sensor itself but I know it isn't the problem. The problem is with the guage but I have no clue as to how I can fix it. Its just one of those things I havent learned about so thats why Im here asking.
 

go-stang5.0

New Member
Jan 27, 2003
2,244
0
0
Glenview,Il
Sep 9, 2004
#6
  • Sep 9, 2004
  • #6
Are you sure the coolant temp sensor is in the manifold? I think its in the heater hose line that bolts to the manifold or somewhere around there. My RPM II doesnt have any sensors in it and I never swapped any over to it from the performer and my temp gauge works. But yea, sounds more like your gauge thane the actual sensor. Unless you have a bad ground or something. Did this just start happening after the manifold swap? If so there might be a pinched wire or you may have to burp the system Dan.
Any other problems when you got it running Dan?

Also, I don't get a thanks for helping you out with the install?...i see how it is
 

Numbles

Active Member
Dec 10, 2003
998
0
36
Chicago, IL
Sep 9, 2004
#7
  • Sep 9, 2004
  • #7
Robin

Robin is GODDDDDDD.

Seriously though, you helped out a ton. My friends cant help because they are still learning like I am so it was good to have someone there to help. This problem has been happening for about 3 months. Before the manifold swap for sure.

Any sensor hooked up into or around the cooling system is hooked up. The car runs great by the way. Its a completely different car. Its almost like daves car. Stock from idle to 3700-3800 then it pulls to 6k. Something it never did before. The car heats up a ton better now that it actually has a thermostat. But thats why I am trying to get the guage to work so I can actually see the difference from the broken thermostat.

Anyone know how to test the actualy guage in the cluster?

BTW, My buddie anthony with the red z28 couldn't believe you only ran 13.0 with your car. Only to run the same time in his ls1 with 430 to the wheels the other day. But he did trap at 116.
 

squall9393

New Member
Feb 7, 2004
534
0
0
Oceanside, CA
Sep 9, 2004
#8
  • Sep 9, 2004
  • #8
After I put my Halo gauges i my dash some of the needles would stick. I had to do as you and apply pressure to the face to allow them move. Eventually took the plastic protector piece totally off and it's been fine except for the coolant temp which i tap the face on occationally to allow the needle to move.
 

Numbles

Active Member
Dec 10, 2003
998
0
36
Chicago, IL
Sep 9, 2004
#9
  • Sep 9, 2004
  • #9
After messing with it the other day I must have fixed it somehow. Now the guage works all the time.

Thanks for the help as always.
 
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