engine temp - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

oldyeller · 04-30-2003, 08:32 PM

ok, gotta really dumb question. I was having issues with the temp sender, so I replaced it, now the gauge runs constantly to the right. It shows as if it was over heating, but its not. It use to run just to the left of straight up and down. My question is

1. where does your temp gauge run?

and

2. is there more than one temp sender for a factory gauge? as in do they have different resistances or outputs.

thanks

70c10 · 04-30-2003, 09:03 PM

My truck has an aftermarket gauge. I installed a 180° thermostat bit it runs around 195° on the gauge.

**old Rusty C10** · 04-30-2003, 09:27 PM

as far as i can recall ( but im rusty) thres only one sender and it is possible to get a defective one double check your connection to the sender and if it stilll screws up bring it back as defective

Gordo · 04-30-2003, 09:40 PM

It's possible they sold you a sending unit for an idiot light and not a gauge.

mikep · 04-30-2003, 09:42 PM

Theres probably a few dozen different senders with different resistance values that will fit your sender hole. You probably got the one thats made for an idiot light. You need the one made for the temp gauge.

Southpa · 04-30-2003, 10:36 PM

Wow, I can't believe how many people have been thru the same dang thing, including myself. The number of variable resistance sensors in my toolbox can give you an idea. I finally gave up and went with an aftermarket mechanical, all-in-one gauge/sensor system. I figure my truck has grounding issues and therefore, won't allow electrical temp. system to run. OR my gauge is kapoot.

First, check all your ground connections, which include straps from engine block to frame and from frame to firewall. Don't use teflon tape when installing the sensor. If that doesn't work I can't help ya further. Go with the aftermarket mech. gauge/sensor. Its nice to see actual numbers anyway.

lngbed71 · 04-30-2003, 11:17 PM

Where is the sensor located, at the water neck, or in the cylinder head?

marcuspboldt · 04-30-2003, 11:26 PM

Mine is located on the drivers side head a little towards the front

oldyeller · 04-30-2003, 11:28 PM

sensor is in the drivers side head, and the gauge is oem. my uderstanding of theidiot light sensor is it's either open or shorted, hence the light on or off. so I didn't think the gauge would even read with a idiot sensor, unless it got too hot.

I guess I'll take this one back as I have checked everything else...

cali_surfer · 04-30-2003, 11:32 PM

This just happened to me too!! I am going through and trying to get all my stock gauges hooked back up. Went and bought a temp sender from NAPA of all places, hooked up my sender wire, turned the key on and it pegged all the way to the right. So that means its for an idiot light dash? It ticked me off to say the least.

oldyeller · 05-01-2003, 03:08 AM

Yeah cali yours sounds like its for a idiot dash,and its working backwards possibly, or you got a short in the wiring somewhere.

Blue Beard · 05-01-2003, 08:18 AM

I had a truck with two sending units, but had two separate gauges in it.

PO installed them...........

cali_surfer · 05-01-2003, 12:47 PM

I immediately thought about the grounding out of the wire, but that shouldn't be the case since I have a new painless wiring harness. Sounds like I need to get a different sender then and hopefully my luck will turn around.

Blue Beard · 05-01-2003, 09:41 PM

Even with new wiring, don't count out a bad ground. Even paint under the connectors can be bad...........

04-30-2003, 08:32 PM	#1
oldyeller Captain CAAAVVVMMMAAANNN! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Anna Texas Posts: 726	engine temp ok, gotta really dumb question. I was having issues with the temp sender, so I replaced it, now the gauge runs constantly to the right. It shows as if it was over heating, but its not. It use to run just to the left of straight up and down. My question is 1. where does your temp gauge run? and 2. is there more than one temp sender for a factory gauge? as in do they have different resistances or outputs. thanks __________________ 72 LWB Fleetside C10 Custom 350/350 97 GMC Yukon 4X4 SLT Anna, Texas check out the project old yeller

04-30-2003, 09:03 PM	#2
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	My truck has an aftermarket gauge. I installed a 180° thermostat bit it runs around 195° on the gauge. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

04-30-2003, 09:27 PM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	as far as i can recall ( but im rusty) thres only one sender and it is possible to get a defective one double check your connection to the sender and if it stilll screws up bring it back as defective __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

04-30-2003, 09:40 PM	#4
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	It's possible they sold you a sending unit for an idiot light and not a gauge. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

04-30-2003, 09:42 PM	#5
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Theres probably a few dozen different senders with different resistance values that will fit your sender hole. You probably got the one thats made for an idiot light. You need the one made for the temp gauge. __________________ No truck :-(

04-30-2003, 10:36 PM	#6
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	Wow, I can't believe how many people have been thru the same dang thing, including myself. The number of variable resistance sensors in my toolbox can give you an idea. I finally gave up and went with an aftermarket mechanical, all-in-one gauge/sensor system. I figure my truck has grounding issues and therefore, won't allow electrical temp. system to run. OR my gauge is kapoot. First, check all your ground connections, which include straps from engine block to frame and from frame to firewall. Don't use teflon tape when installing the sensor. If that doesn't work I can't help ya further. Go with the aftermarket mech. gauge/sensor. Its nice to see actual numbers anyway. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

04-30-2003, 11:17 PM	#7
lngbed71 Nothing fits but the oil Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gaston, Indiana Posts: 424	Where is the sensor located, at the water neck, or in the cylinder head? __________________ Land of the free Because of the brave

04-30-2003, 11:26 PM	#8
marcuspboldt Registered Abuser Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ft.Worth Texas Posts: 1,001	Mine is located on the drivers side head a little towards the front

04-30-2003, 11:28 PM	#9
oldyeller Captain CAAAVVVMMMAAANNN! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Anna Texas Posts: 726	sensor is in the drivers side head, and the gauge is oem. my uderstanding of theidiot light sensor is it's either open or shorted, hence the light on or off. so I didn't think the gauge would even read with a idiot sensor, unless it got too hot. I guess I'll take this one back as I have checked everything else... __________________ 72 LWB Fleetside C10 Custom 350/350 97 GMC Yukon 4X4 SLT Anna, Texas check out the project old yeller

04-30-2003, 11:32 PM	#10
cali_surfer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 1,136	This just happened to me too!! I am going through and trying to get all my stock gauges hooked back up. Went and bought a temp sender from NAPA of all places, hooked up my sender wire, turned the key on and it pegged all the way to the right. So that means its for an idiot light dash? It ticked me off to say the least. __________________ My engine is stock... trust me ;o)

05-01-2003, 03:08 AM	#11
oldyeller Captain CAAAVVVMMMAAANNN! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Anna Texas Posts: 726	Yeah cali yours sounds like its for a idiot dash,and its working backwards possibly, or you got a short in the wiring somewhere. __________________ 72 LWB Fleetside C10 Custom 350/350 97 GMC Yukon 4X4 SLT Anna, Texas check out the project old yeller

05-01-2003, 08:18 AM	#12
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	I had a truck with two sending units, but had two separate gauges in it. PO installed them........... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

05-01-2003, 12:47 PM	#13
cali_surfer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 1,136	I immediately thought about the grounding out of the wire, but that shouldn't be the case since I have a new painless wiring harness. Sounds like I need to get a different sender then and hopefully my luck will turn around. __________________ My engine is stock... trust me ;o)

05-01-2003, 09:41 PM	#14
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	Even with new wiring, don't count out a bad ground. Even paint under the connectors can be bad........... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo



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