w0lfpack91

what is the normal coolant temp for a 1988 Firebird. when i got the car the temp gauge didnt work then i replaced the sensor and it started working again but it ranged between 240 and in the red at 260 on the streets id pullover and check the radiator and it was not bubbleing over so i suspected the ECM was faulty after replaceing the sensor a second time. it also didn't help so i just put an aftermerket temp gauge on it and it strted reading correctly, however it runs constant at 210 and gets to 230-240 on the freeway. this still dosent seem right Albeit much better than constantly sitting at 260. since the new gauge reads more normal than the factory im going to assume it is correct and the car is infact running 210-240.

wat i want to know is what the opperating temp Should be so i can know what is normal to look for before i start further trouble shooting. i had replaced the radiator, thermostat, water pump, rad cap. the only other thing i can think of is head gasket but im not loosing oil or water and they are not mixing nor do i have an antifreeze smell to my exaust.

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

The normal factory operating temp is around 210*. The fans are programmed to come on around 238* or so, or when the AC is turned on.


Also, with your factory gauge, it might be off. Mine reads nearly 20* hot.

Is your Airdam in place?

Do your fans come on when you turn on the AC?

Another way to check temps is to us an infrared thermostat and check the temps at the waterneck on the block and and radiator.

w0lfpack91

my car is like 10 years worth of wire shorts, Zip ties, duct tape, and N****r Rigging so the fan dont run off the cpu anymore its on a toggle swich which i know works because i flip it on and i hear it running.

as for an air dam i dont know if it aint there it wasn't there when i bought it either.

i bought it from a friend whose brother ran it into the ground, wrecked it, afro engineered it, ECT.

i have alot of work to do to make it look good and run better but i am focusing on the latter of the two first.

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

Ok...if the air dam isn't in place, your car will not cool once you go over 35mph, that's the key speed. At that speed, the fan's wont' be able to keep up with the engine's heat demand. You need to get that fixed.

It seems you have the single fan, and if it's a single fan, then it doesn't run off of the CPU, it should run off a fan switch in the passenger side head, just forward of the dip stick. That said, I've never been a fan of toggle switch fans and would suggest that you try and put it back to the factory configuration.

Eitherway, I wish you the best in your efforts and since your fan's work with the toggle switch, make sure your air dam is in place and not all buggered up. It's a flat plastic piece (possibly three pieces) that hangs down below the radiator on the front of the car. Works on the theory of low air pressure to suck air up and over the radiator when at speed.

midias

ahh the toggle switch fan the finest in reckless redneckery

Do it right, also get an aftermarket gage to confirm the factory gauge is bad. Mine reads about 220 when the car is at 180.

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

Great visual!

Except in this picture, where you have the fan switch going, is generally where the Temp gauge sensor is. However, in the identical spot on the other side of the motor, is where the fan switch goes.

midias

Very true unfortunately I made the visual based on my car before I learned that particular piece had been alternatively ethnic engineered.

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

Gumby

But the only way to know for sure is to get a 3rd gauge to make sure the 2nd is correct........

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sweetmelissa

Mantaguy ,,,,, My thoughts EXACTLY !!!

78 camaro

Just thought i'd jump in on this to ask for some help, been quite an informative read so far! I have an 87 tpi single fan with air dam, all original. On Saturday, the coolant temp gauge in the dash was working spot on. This morning, it doesn't move anymore. The other gauges all work.

I did do some work yesterday - oil change, bit of a clean up if the engine bay and some welding on the exhaust. Wonder if i just knocked a wire or something? Not sure where to start trouble shooting if it's more than a knocked wire, any help appreciated!

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

The wire for the temperature gauge is on the drivers side head between #3 and #5 cyliders. It's pretty easy to find. I'd start there. If it's not there, just trace the wire back through the loom. It's also possible the gauge finally gave up the ghost though that's generally unlikely.

78 camaro

Thank you - i'll be able to check it in an hour or so... fingers crossed it's just that connection that's loose. Will report back...

JamesG1986

Hello I just bought my first car, it's a 1986 camaro 305 with a 4 barrel carb on it. It a base model, nothing special. It overheats and the cooling fan won't come on I don't want to jerry rig it in any way, I just want to change the sensor that could possibly be bad. I changed the fan blower relay by the brake booster and I also changed a sensor on the passenger head near the oil dipstick it is connected to a green wire and it still won't come on, the fan works if I turn the A/C on, I let it heat up to about 220 then I kick it on but it won't come on automatically if I jump out the A/C fan relay it will kick on. I see another sensor on the drivers side head I'm not sure what it's for or what it does, I'm stuck and don't know what else to changed. Please help me I'm open to any suggestions. Thank you

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

You should invest in one of these http://www.harborfreight.com/non-con...ing-60725.html
and make sure you are overheating before chasing down all those parts.