Re: temperature gauge

[esw5@postoffice2.mail.cornell.edu (Ernest Wong)]

[from Mike LaRosa]
>> Hello folks,
>> 
>> Yesterday I noticed, again, that my temp gauge has stopped working. Last time
>> it happened it revived by itself when the car was next driven.  This time its
>> still dead.  Is this a common failure mode on the '89-100Q?  Is there a
>> connector corrosion problem at the sensor?  Where is the sensor located?
>> I'm about to leave on an extended trip and would like a functioning gauge,
>> so any tips/tricks/hints appreciated...
>> 
>> JOS
>> 
>
>At the front of the engine, below the top radiator hose there
>is a sensor, pull it off, clean it up and it'll probably work.
>
>This worked on my 89 100.
>
>Mike L.
>
I second this suggestion. Dealer quoted around $75 for the new sensor. A
mechanic suggested and did connect and dis-connect the connector to the
sensor. He said sometimes that fixes it. His attempt gave me partial temp
gauge readout. So I decided to go all the way and disconnect the connector
to clean it. I used Radio Shack TV Remote cleaner (contact cleaner) and
sprayed it into the connector pin receptors. I also sprayed the stuff up
into the pins of the sensor. (engine cold) I used a rag to wipe off some of
the spray from the sensor pin and the rag came out pretty black. God knows
how gunk got in there. The sensor has worked fine for me after 2 months
after I reconnected everything.
Be careful. The engine heat cooks the connector's plastic very nicely. I
carelessly broke off one of the retainer hooks on the connector. 
give this a try.
BTW, I did notice the cooling fan does come on even when the temp gauge
does not register. Don't know if the fan is operating at the right times
though.
Ernest Wong
esw5@cornell.edu