temperature gauge pegged all the time

[Bolt]

Cold or hot the temperature gauge stays pegged. It only drops when the key switch is turned off. This happened all of a sudden. Acts like a short. Does anyone have any ideas where to start? Melted wire, bad sensor, ect... This is on a 1998 genII GTS.

 

[PaViper]

Bob, I thought I was the only one that doesn't sleep....you don't have a spare guage to hook up to it do you, ot try your guage hooked to another vehicle

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

Temp sensor front left head.......
They get a short and make the gauge read max all the time...

 

[woosch]

I know that most sensors when they fail read max. So likely the sensor has failed.

 

[dave6666]

I will troubleshoot this for free. Please leave your car at Wendy's with the keys under the mat. Also, leave a note in the cup holder with a return drop off point.

I am very detail oriented. You will not be unhappy.

 

[Bolt]

Bob, I thought I was the only one that doesn't sleep....

I could not sleep cause my car was not working properly.

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

I could not sleep cause my car was not working properly.

OH good its not just me then........

My other half wont even talk to me if there is somthing wrong with the Viper.....

 

[dave6666]

My other half wont even talk to me if there is somthing wrong with the Viper.....

My relationships allow a little more freedom than most. Sorry to hear about your issues Baz.

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[Bolt]

Update:

I found the sensor, pulled the connector off and the gauge dropped. Well the sensor costs anywhere from $50 to $100 depending on who you buy it from. Part number 212467 ACDELCO.

Maybe now is the time to upgrade my gauge with a good aftermarket one.

QUESTION?
Does this coolant sensor give information to the ECU to run the engine properly? If so I can not eliminate it.

 

[woosch]

Does this coolant sensor give information to the ECU to run the engine properly? If so I can not eliminate it.[/FONT][/COLOR]

Yes, it uses the temp for calculations on fuel and timing.

 

[Bolt]

Yes, it uses the temp for calculations on fuel and timing.

Bummer, Thank you for the reply

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

My relationships allow a little more freedom than most. Sorry to hear about your issues Baz.

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At least you get to go outside LOL and keep warm .......

Glad its an easy fix on the temp gauge...

 

[uvbnbit]

Spend the extra money and get the Mopar sensor.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Update:

I found the sensor, pulled the connector off and the gauge dropped. Well the sensor costs anywhere from $50 to $100 depending on who you buy it from. Part number 212467 ACDELCO.

Maybe now is the time to upgrade my gauge with a good aftermarket one.

QUESTION?
Does this coolant sensor give information to the ECU to run the engine properly? If so I can not eliminate it.

There are three temperature sensors. One for the gauge, one for the red idiot light and one for the ECU. Even if the gauge sensor failed, the ECU is looking at another one to operate the engine. I'm cheap, so my follow on comment is that buying a cheap sensor for the gauge is OK. The gauge readings may be a little different (slightly higher or lower) than before, but the gauge is only to see trends and changes, not the absolute number anyway. I've used an elaborate engine diagnostic code reader in the past that showed what each sensor was reading and they are different by 10F-15F anyway. Most of that were variations during thermostat cycling - one end gets hotter or colder before the other (in my Gen 1.) I'd buy the OEM for the ECU sensor, of course.

 

[Bolt]

There are three temperature sensors. One for the gauge, one for the red idiot light and one for the ECU. Even if the gauge sensor failed, the ECU is looking at another one to operate the engine. I'm cheap, so my follow on comment is that buying a cheap sensor for the gauge is OK. The gauge readings may be a little different (slightly higher or lower) than before, but the gauge is only to see trends and changes, not the absolute number anyway. I've used an elaborate engine diagnostic code reader in the past that showed what each sensor was reading and they are different by 10F-15F anyway. Most of that were variations during thermostat cycling - one end gets hotter or colder before the other (in my Gen 1.) I'd buy the OEM for the ECU sensor, of course.

Tom,

Good info, do you know the location of all three and the function of each in their location?

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

I have a Gen 1, where the thermostat is in the back - your Gen 2 has the thermostat in the front. I'm not sure I can help you. If you have the electronic version of the parts (or service) manual it should give you a picture that would help.

For some reason the mopar.com/viper web page is down. That was where all the manuals could be downloaded.

 

[AZTVR]

For some reason the mopar.com/viper web page is down. That was where all the manuals could be downloaded.

Dodge probably found out that they were accidentally providing an unpaid service to their customers. I haven't been able to access those manuals for a while now.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Dodge probably found out that they were accidentally providing an unpaid service to their customers. I haven't been able to access those manuals for a while now.

Sounds like something the membership should be able to get from the viperclub.org site...

 

[dave6666]

Sounds like something the membership should be able to get from the viperclub.org site...

I have all of them.

 

[GTSnake]

I have all of them.

Well then upload them onto the VCA site some where. It would be a good reference for anyone needing them.

 

[dave6666]

Well then upload them onto the VCA site some where. It would be a good reference for anyone needing them.

Someone with the keys to the server has to set that up. It's not like I'm hard to find here after that...

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

I think many people have copies of the manuals (me, too) but depending on the year the size is sometimes over 10Mb, which may disallow emailing them. The first one for Gen 1s is almost 30Mb.

The server thing would be best - I'm sure the admin folks could even set it up as viewable online so downloads aren't needed.

 

[Viper Wizard]

Sounds like something the membership should be able to get from the viperclub.org site...

Or call me anytime, glad to look it for you. You'll also get, availability and current price
[20% off VCA].
914-763-3136

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

True, true. Chuck is our personal assistant for all part Viper.

 

[Bolt]

Ordered my sensor from Chuck Tator and at a great price too.

 

[MAVPR]

Yep my sensor went earlier this year, I got my new one from chuck. Best price and fast delivery!

 

[Bolt]

Here is the end of this story. It is fixed and yes it was the coolant sensor. Good call Baz. Thank you Chuck for sending me that sensor at a great price. You guys always got my back.

Now why doesn't anything go easy on these cars. All I had to do is screw out the old sensor and screw in the new one. But NOOO... There is a corner of the power steering bracket in the way. If you put a socket on the sensor it rubs the bracket. Now your socket is crooked and you have a real good chance of breaking the sensor housing. Yes, see pictures below. No big deal it was the old sensor. Take notice how I cut that stupid corner off. This allowed me the clearance I needed for the socket. This way I know the sensor is going in strait and I have no chance of breaking the new sensor. Job complete and as Chuck told me it threw a code and I cleared the code and all is great! Job complete.

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.

 

[PaViper]

Gotta admire a guy that aint afraid to take a sawsall to his car

Good job Bob...now maybe you can sleep at night

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

If anyone ever steals your car, you can now identify it.

Not to be funny, but for a guy with tools (big ones) would a crow's foot have worked?

 

[Bolt]

would a crow's foot have worked?

I tried but there was not enough clearance. The nut size is 1 inch. Using a 1 inch crows foot does not give much movement. Maybe 60 degrees in turn not to mention pinching the wire loom. Very painful. For me anyway. Good idea though.

Tom,

Thank you for all the information on the sensors.