temperature gauge not working

1998 CHEVROLET TRUCK
200,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
VERNON JAY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
The gauge shows overheat once normal temperature is reached. I have checked with mechanical gauge and temp is normal. I have changed the sensor more than once. I am out of ideas!
Feb 5, 2010 at 11:40 AM
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.
Advertisement
Avatar
FACTORYJACK
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 4,159 POSTS
What happens if you create another ground at the sender. And which sensor have you changed. The two wire sensor for the ECM, or the one wire sender near the #1 spark plug?
Apr 21, 2021 at 12:34 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
VERNON JAY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
It's the sending unit for the gauge by the #1 plug I have changed. I also have tried grounding at the connector for the sending unit and the gauge tops out on the hot side,
(which I think is normal).
Apr 21, 2021 at 12:34 PM
Avatar
FACTORYJACK
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 4,159 POSTS
Open circuit would give you full cold, and shorting the sender wire should send the gauge full hot. See if you can get a resistance value of the sender when at operating temperature, and we can translate that to a temperature, to see what the sender is actually reading. Compare that to a thermometer reading if possible, for cross checking. If the senders resistance value corresponds to the correct temperature, then the problem would have to be in the wire or the cluster. It is a simple circuit, I don't see what else would influence it. It would be interesting to know as well, what temp the ECT sensor for ECM is registering on the data stream. If you have a scan tool, you may be able to view it.
Apr 21, 2021 at 12:34 PM
Avatar
VERNON JAY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
i was the cluster all fixed! Thank you!
Apr 21, 2021 at 12:34 PM