'91 CQ Temp Gauge - when should we be alarmed?

[Huw Powell]

If it's anything like my 90Qs, here is my breakdown:

First heavy line (about 1/3 of gauge): T-stat opens just below this. 
Low fan comes at or just above it.  "Standard operating temperature".

Two fine lines higher, at about 2/3 of gauge, the line has two dots 
around it.  This is where the high speed fan kicks in, IIRC.

Then comes another thick line, I suspect that to the right of that 
should be colored red.

Get a $20 IR thermometer at harbor freight like I did and check head 
temps for real world data.

- Huw

On 7/1/2014 6:36 PM, Christopher Gharibo wrote:
> Here is the obligatory summer temp gauge question on an old car. I have a '91
> CQ with 210k miles.
>
> The temperature vacillates about the old usual thick line at all times, except
> when the ambient temperature is 90 degrees and the AC is on. These
> circumstances put the temperature needle past the usual thick line to just
> before the 1st thin line. If I shut the AC off at this time, the needle backs
> off to the thick line again. The hi/lo radiator fan is cycling correctly.
>
> Does everything seem to be operating normally? At what point in the gauge
> should I be alarmed?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
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