dash temp guage not working 87 coupe UK spec

[Stig]

Hi folks, the temp guage in the car ain't working.

How does it work and where is the temp picked up from for it to work

thanks
Paul

[dollykean]

The temp sensor is just upon the waterpump.

So check first the connection.

[EE80Liftback]

Not sure where it is exactly on a 4A-GE but there should be a plug tapped into the engine somewhere with one wire attached to it. This plug serves as the pickup for the temperature gauge.

Start by cleaning up the connectors.

If it is still not working see if the gauge moves to a different position if you either disconnect the wire or connect it straight to the engine block or some other good mass point. If so, replace or clean the sensor (the plug).

[EE80Liftback]

Ah, some guy types faster then I do and was more into 4A-GE aswell... Well, there you have it it's above the waterpump :-)

[Stig]

thanks

when I've cleaned up the single wire connector to the temp sensor on the waterpump and I turn on the ignition....the guage on the dash filckers for a second but still doesn't move from the bottom of the scale (after the car has been run and warmed up) the tacho also does the same "flicker"

I've tried direct wiring the wire to the waterpump body but still no joy

any further ideas?
Is there a way of testing the dash guage with somethimg like a multimeter?

thanks
Paul

[Stig]

just a thought....is the fan supposed to run all the time or is it a viscous coupling controlled by a relay.
The fan on mine seems to be on all the time....this wouldn't allow the car to warm up....maybe its the fans relay thats faulty...any ideas where it is if this is the case

thanks

[jamiemirror]

Stig Wrote:just a thought....is the fan supposed to run all the time or is it a viscous coupling controlled by a relay.
The fan on mine seems to be on all the time....this wouldn't allow the car to warm up....maybe its the fans relay thats faulty...any ideas where it is if this is the case

thanks

Viscous clutch is self-controlled, there is no external components so don't worry.
If your works all the time, you need new viscous coupling (better use electric fan+thermo-switch).

[Ivan141]

It is normal for the fan to turn all the time, it just works harder when it gets hot (less slip from the viscous coupling). If your car really doesnt get warm, it's more likely a thermostat failure. Should still get warm if you let it run stationary for a while though, but it will stay cold when there is any significant driving wind through the radiator.

[Stig]

thanks for that....looks like I still need a way of testing the dash temp guage then