Notices
944 & 944S Forum 1982-1991

Temp gauge reads high, but isn't overheating

Old 12-17-2008, 10:37 PM
  #1  
Bryan Welch
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Bryan Welch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Iowa
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Temp gauge reads high, but isn't overheating

On my 1991 944S2, the temperature gauge sits on the top white mark 98% of the time when the engine is warm.

I've investigated many overheating issues and finally found the sensor that feeds the temp gauge to be sending normal, correct values. In other words, the sensor says the car is running normally, but the gauge reads very hot. Maybe 3% of the time, the gauge reads normal with the needs right between the two white marks.

Has anyone dealt with this? Do I likely need a new gauge? Maybe there's a grounding issue somewhere?

thanks,
Bryan

Last edited by Bryan Welch; 12-17-2008 at 10:50 PM. Reason: Fixed typo
Old 12-18-2008, 02:14 AM
  #2  
Zero10
Race Car
 
Zero10's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 4,593
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Sounds like a grounding issue to me. Usually this will make your voltmeter read low and your fuel gauge read high (crap, or is it low?) as well.
Old 12-18-2008, 01:42 PM
  #3  
Lemming
Nordschleife Master
 
Lemming's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Altered States of America (B'ham)
Posts: 6,423
Received 85 Likes on 71 Posts
Default

Mine does it as well. Tap on the plastic in front of the gauge, it will likely drop into the normal range. I need to pull mine and fix it one of these days.
Old 12-23-2008, 08:34 PM
  #4  
Melchior
Pro
 
Melchior's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I fixed mine by pulling the sensor out of the block and then whacking the bottom of it several times against a block of wood. The cooper/wax solution that is in the sensor gets broken up; same that is inside of a thermostat. Also, make sure that the two contact blades are free of corrosion.


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Temp gauge reads high, but isn't overheating



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 11:27 PM.