First the disclaimer: I have searched the Garage section, couldn't find the answer. I now know more about the dummy oil gauge, however.
My '97 has the dummy temp gauge, and I would like to know if it has only two settings, Zero and the One O'Clock position? Or, does it actually move up when the coolant level gets too hot? What are the parameters? Is it possible to replace it with a quot;realquot; temp gauge, as you can the oil gauge? Is it easy or inexpensive?
Thanks for your responses!
-Bill in Oklahoma
Does the gauge gradually go to the one o'clock position as the engine warms up when you start it for the first time of the day? If so, then it's not a dummy gauge.
Originally Posted by sunbrn
Does the gauge gradually go to the one o'clock position as the engine warms up when you start it for the first time of the day? If so, then it's not a dummy gauge.
Um, no, I was remembering wrong. It goes to the 12:00 position. Sorry about the misinformation. I seldom make such misteaks...
-B
I think sunbrn's question was really quot;Does the gauge reading rise smoothly during warmup time, or does it jump suddenly?quot; This would tell whether it is an analog sensor like the early oil pressure gauge, or a switched sensor, like the later oil pressure gauge.
here is the deal.
your gauge has range for Cold to Normal to WAY TO HOT PULL OVER NOW.
that is it...
If it was my car and I know i wanted a better guage, i would get a Pod kit and a few guages to fill it with.
Flyin miata has cool gauges and install kits.
You might be interested in this article.
'96 here, mine goes up kind of slowly, but seems TO QUICK to be the real deal. It's ALWAYS at the same position when it stops, about 12:00, and never varies. It seems unlikely the engine could reach operating temperature as fast as it appears to? I kind of feel like Ragtimebill, can I believe the temp gauge?
As the oil pressure switch (mis labled as gauge) is a known issue you would think the temp switch would also be a known issue. Therefore, I tend to conclude it's a quot;realquot; oil gauge. But...
Thanks for the link Bill, that explained it nicely.
Originally Posted by Club427
'96 here, mine goes up kind of slowly, but seems TO QUICK to be the real deal. It's ALWAYS at the same position when it stops, about 12:00, and never varies. It seems unlikely the engine could reach operating temperature as fast as it appears to? I kind of feel like Ragtimebill, can I believe the temp gauge?
As the oil pressure switch (mis labled as gauge) is a known issue you would think the temp switch would also be a known issue. Therefore, I tend to conclude it's a quot;realquot; oil gauge. But...
Thanks for the link Bill, that explained it nicely.
No, it's a dummy, just like mine, acts the same way.
I like the article that Bill pointed to, but... about half of the pictures won't show, only little white boxes with red Xs in them. Anybody else get that?
Same few empty image boxes on a Mac. Some come up with a click. Wallyman has a contact email, probably some images are on defunct addresses. The Key 90-93 image (6a?) showing where to scrape away the printed circuit trace is missing! I'd want all pics printed out, in hand, before starting work.
It's not a dummy gauge. It's just that when it's at 11:00 position the temp range is about 60 degrees. That's why it doesn't move whenever the engine is warm.
Empty the radiator, then you'll see the gauge start moving.
Originally Posted by sunbrn
It's not a dummy gauge. It's just that when it's at 11:00 position the temp range is about 60 degrees. That's why it doesn't move whenever the engine is warm.
Empty the radiator, then you'll see the gauge start moving.
Um... thanks but no thanks...
It can't be a complete dummy gauge (like the oil gauge, which goes to one spot immediately and never moves), because the temp in my '97 starts at or a little below the C then slowly (well not that slowly) moves up to right before the middle, where it stays and never moves while running.
gets bounced.
My take is this:
IF the gauge ever moves toward a higher position than it normally stay at, I will immediatly take action! I see it as little more than a quot;lightquot; that comes on after the engine is way to hot all ready.
Both my cars a 92 and 99 move to a normal 11 oclock. Now the 92 with A/C on and 100+ days will move up to 12. I turn off the A/C and back to normal. A friends 99 runs up to 1 oclock this would alarm me, but he is ok with it.
Originally Posted by Ragtimebill
No, I know it's not a complete dummy after reading these posts, it just does not show accurate information throughout the normal range of temperatures. (
What makes it not accurate? There are no numbers on it to tell you what the temp is. When the engine gets too hot the needle moves to the hot side and vise versa.
Ragtimebill, you can see the trace cut in picture 8a.
I did the mod for my '98NB, works real well. I can see the thermostat opening by a slight drop in temp.
Originally Posted by KiwiNB
Ragtimebill, you can see the trace cut in picture 8a.
I did the mod for my '98NB, works real well. I can see the thermostat opening by a slight drop in temp.
Yeah, but mine's an NA and uses a different page... |
Post at 2-7 07:33 AM
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