testing coolant temp gauge sender for 80/90/4k/4kq/CGT

[Brady Moffatt]

----- Original Message -----
From: <Jpinkowish at aol.com>


>
> Conversely, you can check your dashboard coolant temp gauge by using a
jumper
> to send 12V from the battery(ignition off!) through the sender wire -- it
> should be blue/brown(hey Huw, is this OK?).  I'll assume that this will
send
> the gauge needle to the top.  If it does, time for a new sender.

You don't need to send 12V up to the gauge to test it. All you need to do
is, with the ignition on, and the sender connector unplugged, ground the
wire that comes from the gauge. That simulates REALLY hot engine temp and
should send the needle to the top pretty quick. Besides, the gauge works on
10V. There's an internal regulator in the gauge cluster that also serves the
fuel gauge.

Cheers,
Brady Moffatt, who just found out his temp sender is crapola this way
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
86 4ksq, 280,000km
72 Datsun 240Z, 180,000 miles