Coolant Temp Issue/Head Scratcher
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 54
From: Central Texas
Coolant Temp Issue/Head Scratcher
Driving home from work the other day the temp gauge started fluctuating from normal to hot on the road and when stopped it would peg out hot on the gauge. Seemed like a thermostat problem so I changed it out yesterday and am still having an issue. Running down the road the gauge reads on the lower side of normal and when I stop the needle swings to hot. How quickly it reads hot sure seems unusual to me.
Now here is the kicker to this. Today I pulled the thermostat to see if there were any drag marks and it looks fine. Put it back in and test driving it the temp seems fine until I stop and make a right hand turn at which point it swing to hot and then slowly goes back to normal within about 5 to ten seconds. It will not do this making a left hand turn. Every left hand turn the gauge needle never moves from the normal point it runs at. I can run it in the driveway and the gauge stays where it should. The engine never smells hot and putting my hand on the radiator it feels right temp wise.
With the radiator cap off in the driveway I can see coolant flow also.
Sorry for the long narrative but this one has me stumped. Has anyone encountered or have a suggestion on what could be causing it?
Thanks
wtx66f100
Now here is the kicker to this. Today I pulled the thermostat to see if there were any drag marks and it looks fine. Put it back in and test driving it the temp seems fine until I stop and make a right hand turn at which point it swing to hot and then slowly goes back to normal within about 5 to ten seconds. It will not do this making a left hand turn. Every left hand turn the gauge needle never moves from the normal point it runs at. I can run it in the driveway and the gauge stays where it should. The engine never smells hot and putting my hand on the radiator it feels right temp wise.
With the radiator cap off in the driveway I can see coolant flow also.
Sorry for the long narrative but this one has me stumped. Has anyone encountered or have a suggestion on what could be causing it?
Thanks
wtx66f100
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 272
I would first verify if, in fact the motor is overheating. Electronic temp gun.
The right turn thing makes me think the sending wire is grounding on something. Have someone sit in the vehicle while you manipulate the 3 wire engine harness. If that has no affect, move the dash cluster wires around. Could be the cluster plug is loose in the cluster.
The right turn thing makes me think the sending wire is grounding on something. Have someone sit in the vehicle while you manipulate the 3 wire engine harness. If that has no affect, move the dash cluster wires around. Could be the cluster plug is loose in the cluster.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 54
From: Central Texas
The thermal gun is a good idea. I will pick one up and try it out. My first inclination was to try an aftermarket temp gauge and sender but the thermal gun would be easier.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 7
From: PA
Definitely sounds like an electrical issue. whether in the gauge, sending unit or wiring. Get a second verification on what's going on by using a aftermarket gauge or a thermal gun. Something that comes in hand a lot but I have yet to go get one.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
3x grounded temp wire ..
Yup you already verified it's not boiling over with the cap off.
Turning one way that causes the temp ga. to swing upwards has to be a shorted temp wire.
May be you also have a bad motor mount that could be adding to the confusion when turning..
Orich
Yup you already verified it's not boiling over with the cap off.
Turning one way that causes the temp ga. to swing upwards has to be a shorted temp wire.
May be you also have a bad motor mount that could be adding to the confusion when turning..
Orich
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 54
From: Central Texas
Changed out the sending unit and same result on it pegging out hot on an abrupt stop or turning right. Borrowed a thermal gun and verified that it is running normal temp even with the gauge pegged on hot. I did not think it was but verifying it with the gun eliminates that question. I will trace out the temp wire and check out the connections under the dash next.
Appreciate the tips and advice.
Appreciate the tips and advice.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
It may be at the valve cover bolt with the metal tags the fold over on the wire loom that has the 3 wires. One is oil, and water temp & ign coil wires running a long the top of the valve cover gasket area.
This is the three wires that come through the fire wall. I've seen some short to thte valve cover at the rear rubbing on the valve cover area..
orich
This is the three wires that come through the fire wall. I've seen some short to thte valve cover at the rear rubbing on the valve cover area..
orich
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