Temp gauge not working

[Britstiva]

I've got an '88 L 4 speed and the temp guage is not working. It was operating before I replaced the transmission and clutch, but after the install, it has not worked.

Can anyone give me a tip on this problem?

It's not the plug into the back of the cluster.... I already pulled that out and checked it.


Thanks!
Jeremy

[Pu241]

OK, slightly more difficult.

Check the connector on the thermal sensor itself.

I know!






I know!






You want to know where that is!






Distributor side of the front of the engine.
To the right of the #4 plug and to the left and below of the head coolant hose.
single natural/white connector.


Check for corrosion and/or broken wire at the connector.

[doylerl]

I had the same problem. The sensor was bad. It was like $8 at advance auto. Be careful which one they get. They ordered the wrong one for me. There are two different size sensors.

[sam.1956]

The sensor connector blade seems to be somewhat fragile. You should read "some" resistance (several ohms) with an ohmmeter from blade to body of the sensor. Completely open is a bad sensor. Seen several broken at that point. If the blade rotates or moves at all, the epoxy is broken & likely the sensor is NFG.

[doylerl]

The flat blade connector is on the sensor for the fan. For the gauge, it is more like a round "nipple" like connector.

[Pu241]

doyler is correct I ended up soldering the wire direct to the sensor because I couldn't find another connector to fit. A blade connect would have been easy to find/make.

[sam.1956]

Yep. I got 'em corn-fused. DOH!

[Britstiva]

You're right! That was the problem. The wire had broken from the sensor. And the sensor was inclosed in casing that had cracked.

Is this a replaceable part? Or should I use some jb weld on where the sensor inserted and try to solder the wire back?

[sam.1956]

Replace. Auto parts stores should be able to get it. Or you could try a junkyard.

[Banana Bonanza]

Interestingly my Japanese B6 came with temp sensor with a blade type end rather than bullet connector. I had to make a little adapter wire, one end female spade connector other end male bullet connector. And yes you can find the bullet connectors in the crimp on terminals assortments at auto parts stores.

[fastivaB6TG25MR]

My teemp sensor exploded... Like literally shot the bullet connecor end out and sounded like a fire cracker... I relaced teh sensor and now its reading full hot when cold... Any thoughts?