Temp gauge not working

HeadBangerHeadBanger Band Wagon
in Engine & Drivetrain
Long story short, I highly doubt the car overheated because it was -25* and the car had only been running for 10 minutes maximum, but my needle had gone all the way up to the red bar. As soon as it hit the read bar it dropped right down to where it would sit at running temp.

Since then the gauge doesn't work. Sometimes it'll move up a tad but drop right down a minute later.

My friend thinks it has to do with my coolant for some reason.

Any and all help is appreciated. The car is a '91 if it makes a difference. D15 with HF intake etc.

Comments

  • civtec350civtec350 Wagonist
    if the antifreeze wasnt diluted properly, it could have froze inside the engine, or radiator. ive had this happen to me twice, once in a civic and most recently in my 4runner about a week ago. ice could be blocking the coolant from circulating. im not sure why the gauge would stop working other than an electrical issue, is the connector on the temp switch on the head tight? also if the wire is loose on the connector, it could give no reading if its not making contact.
  • HeadBangerHeadBanger Band Wagon
    I haven't really checked it much because it's been so damn cold lol
    In the fall I had a rad hose burst so I'm 99% sure we mixed the coolant right. It's still a possibility. It would make sense, however since this first happened I've put at least 500km on the car. That one day it was warm I took a good drive and still no change in the gauge. I wasn't sure where to start, but it would make sense to me at this point it's electrical. If the rain holds off this weekend I'll try the connections and such.
    On another forum a few members also said likely electrical.

    Educate me though, how does the car get the temp reading?
  • wagonef8wagonef8 Wagonist
    They do go bad sensor is located under the dizzzy single wire connector
  • SanDiegoF20BSanDiegoF20B Band Wagon
    Check the resistance of your sensor with a voltage meter. Also I don't think there is a fuse for coolant temp sensor but it's worth a check. Check your wiring as well. It comes off the clip easy sometimes if it gets old/crusty.
  • G-powerG-power Band Wagon
    flex cable small cracks would solder fill
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