Fans turn on but temperature gauge reads low temperature

1971 CHEVROLET CAPRICE
9,000 MILES • 5.7L
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DONKDOGS84
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My car listed above 350sbc has a electric fans upgrade.i also have a Dakota digital dash and the atomic EFI MSD setup.it has a 180 thermostat in it.i noticed it was running at between 120 and 140 temperature wise and my thermostat never would open.my fans were set to kick on at 180 but they would kick on around 140.now I change my coolant sensor too.i adjust the fans to turn on at 230 to see what would happen and now it’s getting to about 180 and the thermostat opens. but what’s really going here does? someone know the answer?
Oct 27, 2019 at 1:01 PM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,694 POSTS
Hello,

I would get an infrared temperature gun to see if the temperature is really what the gauge says. because it sounds like the sender or gauge, could be off.

Here is a link to help show you:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-infrared-temperature-meter

Please run down this guide and report back.
Oct 29, 2019 at 4:01 AM
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