Question on Temp Indicator
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 38
From: Allentown, PA
Question on Temp Indicator
MY 85 Auto, 2 miles from home today I got low coolant alarm. OK, watch temp and it starts climbing and can faintly smell anti-freeze. Watching the gauge it gets to just shy of the second line and the red light indicator in the temp gauge lights up.
I Continue driving and gauge actually dropped to 1/2 way between the lines and the red light in the gauge stays on.
Is this normal?
Anyone know when the red warning light that is part of the gauge comes on?
I have been as high as the second white line on the gauge when stuck in traffic on 100 Degree days and not had the red light come on.
Does it have to drop to a certain point to reset?
I looked at the WSM and it seems like there are 2 wires off the temp sending unit. the Blue-Yellow goes to the gauge, the blue green goes to the central information panel.
I think the one to the central info panel just lights up the ! light?
Is there a way to test the temp sender?
Problem is leak in the side tank, which was expected at some point, glad it didn't happen on way to or from SITM. Three years ago, I had the side tanks replaced due to leak on the passenger side where they typically leak from. The shop was highly recommended, no broken tabs. But when I picked it up, they said they couldn't get the pass. side tank to seal properly, he thought it was warped. They used epoxy to seal and said I would get about 3 years out of it, pretty good prediction.
I just happen to have a brand new C&R radiator in garage ready to go in. Good job for a Sunday.
BTW, antifreeze on tires makes for slippery fun.
I Continue driving and gauge actually dropped to 1/2 way between the lines and the red light in the gauge stays on.
Is this normal?
Anyone know when the red warning light that is part of the gauge comes on?
I have been as high as the second white line on the gauge when stuck in traffic on 100 Degree days and not had the red light come on.
Does it have to drop to a certain point to reset?
I looked at the WSM and it seems like there are 2 wires off the temp sending unit. the Blue-Yellow goes to the gauge, the blue green goes to the central information panel.
I think the one to the central info panel just lights up the ! light?
Is there a way to test the temp sender?
Problem is leak in the side tank, which was expected at some point, glad it didn't happen on way to or from SITM. Three years ago, I had the side tanks replaced due to leak on the passenger side where they typically leak from. The shop was highly recommended, no broken tabs. But when I picked it up, they said they couldn't get the pass. side tank to seal properly, he thought it was warped. They used epoxy to seal and said I would get about 3 years out of it, pretty good prediction.
I just happen to have a brand new C&R radiator in garage ready to go in. Good job for a Sunday.
BTW, antifreeze on tires makes for slippery fun.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,157
From: Philly PA
my guess is that the sender got dry for a period thats what sent off the gauge warning light, Best to fix this so you dont warp a head or damage a headgasket.
Sometime the radiators need to be put in a press and a new end tank used and a new seal as well, then the tabs bent over the tank. You can use wood working clamps that can be screwed down to compress the end tanks. Also do a search for the other poster that made a new style of end tank securing hardware
Sometime the radiators need to be put in a press and a new end tank used and a new seal as well, then the tabs bent over the tank. You can use wood working clamps that can be screwed down to compress the end tanks. Also do a search for the other poster that made a new style of end tank securing hardware