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what gives the stock temp gauge its signal?

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Old 04-15-03, 09:22 PM
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Rotary Freak

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what gives the stock temp gauge its signal?

the reason I ask this is because the stock water temp gauge on my car(after my TII swap) goes all the way to H with the key in the "ON" position, and as the car warms up(the only 2 times it started ) it moves down a little. almost like the gauge is on reverse???

I thought the little plug on the bottom of the rad that the two wires went to controlled it, but I tried switching those, and same thing happens(maybe I just screwed up and put them back in the same place[I tried this twice]?)

and the main reason I'm concerned is because I think my ECU is screwed up by it, and causes my car to run overly rich(when it ran those 2 times ) like it's still on warm up mode, or whatever its called.

I'd really appreciate any input. thanks

-travis
Old 04-15-03, 09:28 PM
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the gauge reads off the water temp sensor which is right below the oil pressure one. under the oil filter. the sensor is tiny
Old 04-15-03, 09:39 PM
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it gets its signal from a small gnome who hangs out in the coolant
Old 04-15-03, 09:42 PM
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Water Temperture Sender Unit found under the Oil Pressure Sender Unit.
Old 04-15-03, 10:00 PM
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hmm...... any ideas why the gauge is screwing up so badly then? I'm almost 100% sure the wire is plugged into that (I know what you're talking about)
Old 04-15-03, 10:25 PM
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Well yes, If It wasn't plugged In, you wouldn't get a reading.

If I had the same problem, I'd disconnect the wire, wipe down the contact point of the Sensor and Wire. Give It a go...If nothing changed, I'd check the solder joints behind the Instrument Cluster. Still the same, change the Coolant Temperture Sender Unit. Good Luck...
Old 04-15-03, 10:48 PM
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stick a couple of dollars into the radiator, that should appease the little guy
Old 04-15-03, 10:51 PM
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What sensor is on the water pump neck then? I always thought that was coolant temp...
Old 04-15-03, 11:04 PM
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coolant temp is the same as engine temp
Old 04-16-03, 12:01 AM
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Originally posted by TonyTurboII
What sensor is on the water pump neck then? I always thought that was coolant temp...
that is the coolant temp sensor for the ecu
Old 04-16-03, 02:29 AM
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Originally posted by TonyTurboII
What sensor is on the water pump neck then?
Just to clarify Scott's answer, the sensor on top of the thermostat housing on a S4 is the electric fan's temp switch; the sensor on the back of the water pump underneath the alternator is the ECU's coolant thermosensor.

There's a good pic of the temp gauge sender on page 106 of the Haynes manual (Fig. 10.1).
Old 04-16-03, 02:54 AM
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Im pretty sure its beside the oil pressure sensor, not under it
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