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Coolant Temperture Gauge 200 1983

posted by  Morph on  Fri Mar 30 12:32 CST 2007
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last visit: Sun Oct 18 04:16 CST 2009
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I was driving today and everything was fine, the temp. gauge needle was right in the center and it drops down below the C and now it's dead. The harness is about two years old so I don't think it is in the wiring. So my guess is either the sensor or the gauge itself. Is there an easy was to test the circuit before I pull the manifold to get at the sensor ? Do these sensors ever fail ? This one is 24 years old......








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    Coolant Temperture Gauge 200 1983

    posted by  B.C. on  Fri Mar 30 17:23 CST 2007
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    last visit: Wed Mar 28 22:28 CST 2012
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    Follow Art's advice.

    Sender replacement does not require manifold removal. It's the ECT that might.

    Pull the yellow wire off. Key on, ground the connector - should put gauge in the red. If not grounded, the gauge should read naught.

    If you get the red when grounded, the sender is kaput. email Art for one. Not a hard job to replace.

    No need to drain off coolant, either. Just loosen the old one to finger tight, then pull it and pop in the new one real quick. A little coolant might run out, but not enough to go through the fuss of drain and refill IMHO.

    Good Luck,

    Bob

    :>)








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      Coolant Temperture Gauge 200 1983

      posted by  Morph on  Sat Mar 31 10:25 CST 2007
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      last visit: Sun Oct 18 04:16 CST 2009
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      Wish it was that easy, I grounded the connector and didn't get anything. I replaced the temp sensor and again nothing. I put a voltmeter on the yellow wire and it read about 10 V when grounded out. So at this point I'm thinking the gauge may be caput ? What now ?








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        Coolant Temperture Gauge 200 1983

        uid 27's pic
        posted by  Art Benstein on  Sat Mar 31 10:44 CST 2007
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        last visit: Fri Oct 17 20:10 CST 2014
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        It sounds like you have an unusual problem with the gauge.

        By measuring 10V on the yellow wire with it disconnected from the sender, you've seemingly verified the wiring all the way through the gauge (there's no temp comp board in an 83) to the voltage stabilizer. The gauge is operated by heated bimetal, so is about as reliable as a Toyota.

        The voltmeter test does not prove there isn't a gob of corrosion that is part of the wiring path back to the gauge, because the voltmeter doesn't draw enough current to flag a defect like that. If water leaks inside the car, back of the cluster, there may be a problem like that on the circuit board or at the round plug where the yellow wire comes in. Also look for the same type of problem on the rainy side of the firewall, where the gray plug is. Yellow wire again.

        If you are familiar with your meter to measure current, you could look for 200 mA measured between sender terminal (motor warm) and yellow wire. If much, much less, then you are fighting a high resistance corroded connection in the circuit. If in the ballpark, you've got no choice but to remove the cluster and have a look at why the gauge needle is stuck.


        --
        Art Benstein near Baltimore

        Be nice to your kids. They will choose your nursing home one day.







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          Coolant Temperture Gauge 200 1983

          posted by  Morph on  Sat Mar 31 10:52 CST 2007
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          last visit: Sun Oct 18 04:16 CST 2009
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          Thanks Art I'll see if I'm reading 200ma at the sender. I was also going to fab a wire from the sender to the cluster to see if I can get a reading. I suspect however it's in the cluster. How hard is it to remove the cluster ? Is there anyone that repairs these things or can one get a replacement gauge ?

          Thanks, Morph.








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            Coolant Temperture Gauge 200 1983

            uid 27's pic
            posted by  Art Benstein on  Sat Mar 31 11:10 CST 2007
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            last visit: Fri Oct 17 20:10 CST 2014
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            Best source for parts, if you need them, is a junk yard.

            To remove the cluster:
            Set the steering wheel straight.
            Pull the square covers or small gauge bezels to the right to expose two screws.
            Pull the headlight switch and dimmer switch knobs (pull hard).
            Pull the cover and fog lamp switch if you have, to expose two more screws.
            To be safe, disconnect negative battery post.
            Withdraw cluster until you can release the speedometer cable. Don't be surprised if the retaining "nut" is broken or gone.
            On second thought, I think I reached up from underneath to release that cable.
            Disconnect cable-driven service reminder counter, if someone hasn't already.
            Take a picture or mark every wire and cable you pull off the back circuit board.
            Grasp large round connector and work it off the board carefully. Same with half-round connector. Others are wires to spade lugs or single push pins.
            The cluster will come out completely if you keep the steering wheel straight.

            The gauges are attached to the circuit board by their terminal posts.
            --
            Art Benstein near Baltimore

            To write with a broken pencil is pointless.








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    Coolant Temperture Gauge 200 1983

    uid 27's pic
    posted by  Art Benstein on  Fri Mar 30 12:50 CST 2007
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    last visit: Fri Oct 17 20:10 CST 2014
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    Hi,

    I have had two of those gauge senders brand new in a parts drawer for 7 years now waiting for a chance to use one. Could be.... I'd still go after the wiring - maybe it just fell off.

    The yellow wire is the one you're after. It is quite easy to get to it and the sensor - you'll see it on the head, right beneath the 2nd intake runner. If you find the yellow wire firmly attached, just pull it off, ground it, and if your temperature gauge goes into the red, you'll need one of those senders in my parts drawer. Well, they're very affordable.

    If the gauge is still dead you might wind up behind the cluster if you don't find an obvious wire problem.

    --
    Art Benstein near Baltimore

    We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.







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