Coolant temp gauge. Aftermarket gauge and sending unit question
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Portland, OR
Coolant temp gauge. Aftermarket gauge and sending unit question
So I got a sunpro temp gauge about 3 months ago.. Today I replaced my OEM coolant temp gauge sending unit with another OEM one. I installed the sunpro gauge and cold it read 230 degrees. So I saw in the bottom of the box it had a sending unit MEANT for it. But its SUPER long. Anyone think it will fit in there? I'm gonna give it a shot tomorrow so I will find out the hard way haha
More information is needed....
You are going to make your OEM gauge non-functional and try to put the Sunpro sender/sensor where the OEM should be?
That looks like a S5 OEM sender/sensor...correct? Do the thread patterns of the two senders/sensor match?
I'd use both gauges because I don't know that I'd trust the Sunpro gauge more than the OEM.
You are going to make your OEM gauge non-functional and try to put the Sunpro sender/sensor where the OEM should be?
That looks like a S5 OEM sender/sensor...correct? Do the thread patterns of the two senders/sensor match?
I'd use both gauges because I don't know that I'd trust the Sunpro gauge more than the OEM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
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From: Portland, OR
my car was 5 speed swapped before I got it. The wire to the gauge from the sending unit is gone when they did it. So I have NO way of telling the coolant temp at all.
The thread pitch is the same on both of them. I double checked it.
btw just so its clear, my OEM gauge is already non-functional.
The thread pitch is the same on both of them. I double checked it.
btw just so its clear, my OEM gauge is already non-functional.
MECP Certified Installer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,176
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From: Mesquite, TX-DFW
The OEM Thermistor is an NTC type. So you "could", in theory, use it with your sunpro gauge.
So at cold, it says 230*. Well, This means the stock sensor is not resistive enough compared to the sunpro unit. put both sensors in water and let the water obtain room temperature. Measure the discrepancy in resistance and add resistors to the output wire to compensate so you can use the stock sensor.
Make sense?
So at cold, it says 230*. Well, This means the stock sensor is not resistive enough compared to the sunpro unit. put both sensors in water and let the water obtain room temperature. Measure the discrepancy in resistance and add resistors to the output wire to compensate so you can use the stock sensor.
Make sense?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 22
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From: Portland, OR
makes sense. i put the aftermarket on in today. it fits, but doesnt seem right. I let the car warm up and drove it around for a few. it ended up saying 250 degrees some how. I KNOW the car doesnt over heat and never has. So im just confused. looks like i will put the old OEM one back in and then find the resistor that is needed.
Remove the sending unit and stick something in the hole to measure the available depth.
If the probe is contacting metal, your reading will be off.
Frankly, replacing the stock gauge with a Sunpro is more of a lateral move than an upgrade.
Maybe look into the VDO "Vision" line for an inexpensive, yet reliable gauge that actually works.
The VDO sending unit will go into the stock location, no prob.
The gauge and sender are about $30 at egauges.com.
If the probe is contacting metal, your reading will be off.
Frankly, replacing the stock gauge with a Sunpro is more of a lateral move than an upgrade.
Maybe look into the VDO "Vision" line for an inexpensive, yet reliable gauge that actually works.
The VDO sending unit will go into the stock location, no prob.
The gauge and sender are about $30 at egauges.com.
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