Bad Temp Sensor?

[Glen97]

97 GTS with 49000 miles. Went for a drive yesterday and water temp jumped to 250. Pulled over checked things out and all is fine the fan is working water level ok no leaks car running normal. Temp gage droped to about 220 after a short time so I drove home temp gage moving around a little while driving home. Got home ok let the car cool for a few hours then started the car and the temp gage went to 225 as soon as I started the car. The car sat all night in the garage just started it and the temp gage went straight to 190. Bad temp sensor? What do you think?

Thanks,
Glen

 

[dave6666]

Is the upper radiator hose hot? That indicates flow. Shoot it with an IR or carefully touch it with your hand. You could also have trapped air, ie the big burp...

 

[Glen97]

Is the upper radiator hose hot? That indicates flow. Shoot it with an IR or carefully touch it with your hand. You could also have trapped air, ie the big burp...

I have water flow. Hose is hot. No traped air. New hoses at start of summer 08. No issues all summer.

 

[dave6666]

The sensor is an inexpensive (~$50) part and easy to change. And if you're turning on the key with a cold engine and instantly getting an elevated reading, the sending unit would be initially suspect as you have already pointed out. The connector is well attached and in good shape?

Either that, or air condition the garage so it's not 190 degrees in there!

 

[Glen97]

The sensor is an inexpensive (~$50) part and easy to change. And if you're turning on the key with a cold engine and instantly getting an elevated reading, the sending unit would be initially suspect as you have already pointed out. The connector is well attached and in good shape?

Either that, or air condition the garage so it's not 190 degrees in there!

Thanks for your input Dave. I'll put a new temp sensor in and see. Then AC the garage.

Glen

 

[bluesrt]

when the cars guage gets to show operating temp,u should be able to turn the car off and top rad hose should be kind of firm,if not that needs to handled,does it have heat when it says its warm?if not thers another clue,low on coolant,rad cap not holding pressure,or rarely but happens ur thermostat is stuck,have even soon with dodges it actually falls into pieces.

 

[Two R/Ts]

Same thing happend to my 98 R/T 10, Temp Sensor was bad, easy fix.

 

[Glen97]

Same thing happend to my 98 R/T 10, Temp Sensor was bad, easy fix.

Thanks 2 RT's. I pulled the sensor this morning went to Napa no luck will hit Dodge tomorrow.

Glen

 

[Glen97]

when the cars guage gets to show operating temp,u should be able to turn the car off and top rad hose should be kind of firm,if not that needs to handled,does it have heat when it says its warm?if not thers another clue,low on coolant,rad cap not holding pressure,or rarely but happens ur thermostat is stuck,have even soon with dodges it actually falls into pieces.

Top hose is firm after running at temp. Engine cold gauge shows temp. New cap it holds good. I was thinking broken thermostat to start but after sitting all night then showing 190 temp at first start this morning I thinking sensor. I'm going with a new sensor first. Hate to pull the intake off if I dont have to.

Thanks,
Glen

 

[EastTnMan]

1" socket, and I got my new sensor from Auto Zone. I think it was in the $25.00 range. Easy fix, and I put teflon tape around the threads when I reinstalled. Works fine now.
Mike

 

[Glen97]

1" socket, and I got my new sensor from Auto Zone. I think it was in the $25.00 range. Easy fix, and I put teflon tape around the threads when I reinstalled. Works fine now.
Mike

Mike,
I just called Auto Zone nothing listed. Do you have a part number by and chance.

Thanks,
Glen

 

[RTTTTed]

Disconnect the sensor and see if the reading changes. It could be a wiring short, the sensor or the guage. You could also run a connecting wire between the two (?) wires in the connector and see if that shows up on the guage as an overheat. Either way should show bottomed out (cold) or topped out (overheated) if the problem is the sensor.

Not much point shopping for and ordering a sensor unless that's the problem?

Ted

 

[plumcrazy]

mine did the same thing and it was the sensor

 

[Glen97]

Disconnect the sensor and see if the reading changes. It could be a wiring short, the sensor or the guage. You could also run a connecting wire between the two (?) wires in the connector and see if that shows up on the guage as an overheat. Either way should show bottomed out (cold) or topped out (overheated) if the problem is the sensor.

Not much point shopping for and ordering a sensor unless that's the problem?

Ted

Forgot that part. I pulled the plug to the sensor last night then fired it up and it stayed at 0 also through a code for water temp sensor. I have a code reader I have already cleared it.

Glen

 

[Viper Wizard]

http://forums.viperclub.org/rt-10-g...-temperature-gauge-pegged-out-while-cold.html

 

[Steve-Indy]

Hopefully the sensor is the problem...but, I would be keeping a close eye on coolant level AND oil level/color/appearance just to be safe.

 

[Glen97]

http://forums.viperclub.org/rt-10-g...-temperature-gauge-pegged-out-while-cold.html

Thanks Chuck.

Glen