Dude, the reading at normal temp is smack in the middle...no picture needed. If you're above that, you're probably overheating. If you're below, who knows...maybe bad gauge. If it's only slightly above horizontal, you're probably ok, but it would help if you got a real temp gauge or a PFC so you could see what the actual temp is.

 

For ***** sake man, did you read my post?!

 

SanJoRX7 is correct the gauge should be reading Horizontal on temp slightly above or below is ok too. My gauge is on crack it always showed high but my PFC
says all is ok.

 

Dude, #1, it's not a linear gauge, as long as it's close to the middle you're going to live. #2, you'll know it if it's running high, because it goes from normal to high REALLY fast when it overheats.

you really need to either do the linear gauge mod, or get an accurate gauge... I'll admit, I haven't done it myself yet, but I'm running Evans NPG+ now and frankly, that stuff sends all gauges a little haywire.

John M.
'93 Base VR

 

the three temp gauge readings of the stock 3rd gen temp gauge are:

Cold -
Warm -
You're screwed -


someone probably has a pic of thier dash saved somewhere that they'll post though. but in general the temp gauge would never sit just slightly above normal. by the time you realize its goin up its already in the red...

 

yea dude the stock gauge is a POS..if it ever moves up its not gonna stop till it hits H...

like airborne said..cold...warm then screwed..by the time it moves your engine is done
put it this way with a after market temp gauge the stock gauge reads normal (middle) temp from 150 to 210 deg f...you migh as well not even look @ that stock temp gauge..100% worthless.. as long as you fans work and you coolant mix is good theres nothing else you can do (asside from fan mod)

buy a after market temp gauge and use that

 

Dude, the stock gage is desined to be center-centric. Even says so in the '93 Mazda Maintenance Highlights manual. It is designed to stay in the middle so not to 'worry' the average driver (this is also from the above manual). Normal is 1/2 way although I read below 1/2 in cooler weather and slightly above in warmer weather. If you are reading past horizontal on a regular basis in 70deg weather then you have a problem.

 

Think of it as a clock face. The needle points to 9 o'clock at normal operating temperature, but I've seen it go to 9:30 or almost 10 o'clock position in stop and go traffic with A/C on (avoid that if you can in the summer). With fans on it can drop to 8:30 on the highway. What a worthless guage for such a critical system in the FD.

 

guys, just linearize your water temp gauge. It doesn't look very difficult. I intend to do it as soon as I can find the time

howto linearize: http://us.share.geocities.com/sdrx7_...structions.pdf

 

hey...i have a question. i haven't even tried to look it up (it just came to me)...i now have th power FC commander...@ what degrees C is normal...and at waht temp should i start to worry...thanks

mikey

 

you can get conversions from www.onlineconversions.com

but highway should be about 80-90 degrees C, traffic with A/C on prob up to 95-100 degrees, you probably don't want to exceed about 105, 110 is definitely trouble.