temp gauge

1996 CHEVROLET CAPRICE
208,963 MILES
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I installed a new temp switch and connected the wire , and still nothing. What would be my next move to fix this gauge? Also i have an unconnected wire that looks just like the one hook to the temp switch on the block, this wire is up by the fire wall ( under the hood) on the passenger side of the car could this be the wire I need connected and where should it be connected? THX
Dec 9, 2011 at 8:55 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
How many wires were going to the sensor you replaced and what colors were the wires?Also what size engine do you have?
Dec 9, 2011 at 8:59 PM
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
1996 chevy caprice classic 4.3 is the size. There was 2 wires going to the temp switch , their colors are yellow and purple.
Dec 9, 2011 at 10:20 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
I found a single wire sensor with a single dark green wire going to it for the gauge.Do you see one of those?It shows it right above the starter.Let me know what you find.
Dec 9, 2011 at 11:57 PM
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
is there a place where i can go to see this , my temp switch sensor is kinda high up on the block and no where near the starter its right in the front of the motor . this 350 dosnt have a fan on the motor it has 2 electric fans
Dec 10, 2011 at 12:20 AM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
350?so is this a 4.3L or 5.7L engine?
Dec 10, 2011 at 12:39 AM
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
im pretty sure a 4.3
Dec 10, 2011 at 12:44 AM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
In your last post you mentioned your 350 doesnt have a fan on it.Open the hood and look at the emissions label it will tell you what size engine you have.Let me know.
Dec 10, 2011 at 12:53 AM
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
says 4.3
Dec 10, 2011 at 12:58 AM
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
really its (temp switch)not right to the block but on a part that has 2 hoses for rad. going into it
Dec 10, 2011 at 1:01 AM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
Here is the diagram.
Dec 10, 2011 at 1:01 AM
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
i'll check it out
Dec 10, 2011 at 1:08 AM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
Is the sensor you changed under the water pump?
Dec 10, 2011 at 1:08 AM
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
i think so, but what you showed looked nothing like it
Dec 10, 2011 at 1:18 AM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
The one i posted a diagram of is supposed to be the gauge sensor with a single green wire going to it.Let me know if you find that where i posted the diagram of.
Dec 10, 2011 at 1:20 AM
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
i think so ,or it might be on it but what you showed looked nothing like it
Dec 10, 2011 at 1:22 AM
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
not there at all looks more like in the water pump
Dec 10, 2011 at 1:28 AM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
Look and see if the sensor is where i posted a diagram for.
Dec 10, 2011 at 1:30 AM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
Thats the one for the engine coolant temp sensor the one i posted a diagram for is supposed to be the one for the gauge.Keep me posted on what you find.
Dec 10, 2011 at 1:42 AM
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
sure its not the same
Dec 10, 2011 at 1:54 AM
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
yes when i changed it coolant was coming out all over so your saying i should look around by the starter to find the correct one and since i put a temp switch in there need i change it to....?
Dec 10, 2011 at 2:02 AM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
Look at the wire diagram i posted it shows a single green wire going to the gauge temp sensor.Also look at the sensor locations i posted it also shows a seperate sensor for the gauge.Find the sensor with a single green wire turn the key to the run position engine off.Ground that green wire and see if the temp gauge reads all the way hot.If it does you know the wire and gauge is good.
Dec 10, 2011 at 2:08 AM
Avatar
MRTOO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
when i changed that one coolant did come out your saying thats not the right one which is the one thats supposed to be on the water pump? thinking maybe that wire all the way up by the firewall is to go to the right bottom for the gauge
Dec 10, 2011 at 2:37 AM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
The one on the water pump or bellow the water pump with two wires going to it is for the computer.Please look for the one i posted a diagram for and try what i suggested and see what happens.Let me know what you find.
Dec 10, 2011 at 2:46 AM