Temp gauge stopped working

Question

Hello,On the way back from our last trip I noticed the temp gauge wasn't working (engine warmed up, but gauge never moved).  It was a short trip without many hills, so I continued on home.When I got home I looked in the coolant overflow and it was at the hot level and after checking later on, it was down to the cool level - so I would say the cooling system appears to be working other than the gauge.Looking online, it seems that the coolant temperature sensor is the most likely culprit - would you agree?  Removing the doghouse, I see two identical looking sensors (each with a single green wire).  One is directly above the plug for cylinder #3 on the drivers side and the other above #6 on the passenger side.Which one is the sensor (or do I have two).  If it is only one of them, could someone tell me what the other is.  This is for my 1992 Rambler with a 454 on a P30 chassis.Thanks for any help!

kcny · Answer

Update: I read another post where someone mentioned grounding out the sensor wire to check gauge functionality:

When grounding the sensor on the passenger side, the electric coolant fan comes on.

When grounding the sensor on the drivers side, the dash gauge moves -- so I would say that's the one I'm after:)

I'll go pick up a sensor, swap it out and follow-up....

vet_man · Answer

I had the same problem on my chev truck. It turned out after spending $200 to trouble shoot, the gage cluster was no good. $500 plus to replace. I went on line to "Auto Anything" and bought a Scan Gage. Reads anything from the computer including water temp, HP, speed, MPG- 14 different things. I leave it plugged in at all times, and sits on the dash.

ninerbikes · Answer

Vet Man wrote:I had the same problem on my chev truck. It turned out after spending $200 to trouble shoot, the gage cluster was no good. $500 plus to replace. I went on line to "Auto Anything" and bought a Scan Gage. Reads anything from the computer including water temp, HP, speed, MPG- 14 different things. I leave it plugged in at all times, and sits on the dash.Scan gauge will also help you determine if it's a faulty sensor... take reading from scan gauge II, take an IR temp gun and aim it at the offending sensor, and note the temps of both.  the IR gun is the true value, the severity of the variation on both testing hot and cold engine, is the sensor. If they don't agree, the sensor is faulty. Confirm by disconnecting wire connection at sensor to see which reading disappears on scan gauge, or creates a fault code.

kcny · Answer

Turns out it isn't a temperature sensor, the one on the drivers side is called a temperature sender.

...and of course my store doesn't have them in stock. I am working tonight and will pick one up at the store closer to there (they have one in stock).

I should have things buttoned back up tomorrow - ready in time for our next trip next weekend.

gjac · Answer

Temp sender is on the drivers side electric fan is on the passenger side. Scangage only works for an OBD2 system OP has a OBD1. I had to modify one of my wrenches to replace mine. Make sure your connector did not melt from over heating, other wise it is easy to replace.

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Temp gauge stopped working

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