1990RSCAMARO

i have a 1990 camaro rs v-8 tbi and the damn temperature gauge doesnt work anymore.when i got the car like a year ago it seemed to work, now it always shows in the cool range it doesnt move at all? any ideas? maybe a bad thermostat? and i replaced all fuses

epsmotorsports

iTrader: (1)

Maybe the sensor is bad. Have you tried replacing the sensor on the drivers side cylinder head? Hook up your datalogging and watch the temp straight off your computer.

1990RSCAMARO

i dont have whatever you said to hook up and can i be told in detail where the sensor is? and how much does it cost?what does it look like?

majobis

iTrader: (3)

I haven't installed it yet, but my research showed that the temperature sending unit usually goes. I got a new one at NAPA for about $20.00. Research this part and see if you have the symptoms that show it's failure. Mine was the opposite though; pinned at hot all the time, even when first started up.

mikespeed

I have a similar problem. I have an 87 IROC with the 305, and the temp gauge is pegged over to hot. Like off the chart pegged. And it never moves any more I checked the sensor, and it seems to work. I thing the gauge may just be bad. I’ve been told that I have to replace the whole cluster to replace the temp gauge. Someone please tell me that’s not true. If I can just replace the gauge where can I get an OEM replacement? You know, something that won’t look out of place. I’ve been to the dealer and all they could tell me was, “That part isn’t made any more,..” Thanks dude!!

I imagine there must be a good Camaro junk yard I could try. Anyone?

1985IrocZ

dude, I have the EXACT same problem as you. I unfortunately heard th EXACT same thing as you...that unfortunately it comes in a whole cluster. It's pretty expensive. Right now, I am looking at doing a custome job to replace this cluster with a 3 small gauges (temp, gas, oil press), and keep my stock RPM and odometer. I hope it will work and be cheaper this way.
Our only difference is that my gauge is stuck on the cold position. Let me know if you end up with a different solution.

Jon

Nub383

just get a pod from the junkyard and roll the odo back to your mileage (or forward like anybody would do that lol)

1985IrocZ

I would, but I live in Canada....and mt car is a Canadian one, which means that the gauges are showing in kilometers, not in miles. The "american" ones come a dime a dozen, but geting the ones only showing kilomters are pretty rare, or very expensive.

Nub383

Sorry forgot about the metric system. I took the speedo part of the pod out of an S-10 and put it in another once. Might be able to do it with the temp guage in an f-body if you are carefull. not sure.

bgood71

To test the temp, unplug the sensor(the 1 on driver side between 1st and 2nd plugs), the gauge shuold read cold, then ground the wire and it should read hot. If the gauage changes(may take a min to change cold to hot) than its the sender, if not its the gauge or wiring.

1985IrocZ

does the key have to be on accessory???? or engine running?

87SnowFlake

the lock cylinder (where you put the key to start the car)would have to be on run.

1985IrocZ

but the engine not running....right?

quisterio

Look,

I have the Digital Dash in my GTA, and I had this same problem just last week, The gauge backlighting would light up, but the little light to indicate my temperature would not come up.

I went to AutoZone, bought the brass sensor that screws into my driver side head between cylinders #1 and #3, called something like "Coolant Temperature Sender". If in doubt just tell them you want the sensor that gives the dash it's reading. The sensor has one green wire running to it with a spade connector on it, (yours may be different, probably not though) It cost me a WHOPPING $11.00....

I went home, unscrewed the old sensor and screwed in the new one and hooked the little connector back on it. (Watch out for the rush of coolant... aka, DO NOT do this with a hot engine or you will be burned). I started the car, and waited a minute or two for the coolant to warm up....

Viola!

My Digital dash now has it's coolant temp. gauge reading correctly again with a nice little indicator light next to my temperature.

Hope that helps...

1985IrocZ

WoW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's great information. Thank you so much. For 11.00$, not a big risk, I'll run tomorrow to the local part store and order one. It should have the same effect. By the way....reallly nice GTA!!!! I'll keep you posted.

mikespeed

My problem is not the sensor, but the gauge itself. My gauge does not move, and is pegged all the way up. i have tested the gauge, and its just dead,... Can anyone recomend a good place (junk yards) to get camaro parts? And if i try do replace the cluster myself, how hard is it to do?

AKATDOG

iTrader: (1)

i just ordered mine from houseofcamaro, check it out...

1985IrocZ

[where's the link?






quote=AKATDOG;4094962]i just ordered mine from houseofcamaro, check it out...[/quote]

AKATDOG

iTrader: (1)

[/quote]

google it!

whitsroc

Hey, you guys that are having a problem with gauges pegged and senders not reading here is an idea (i already went through these same problems this year).

As for the gauge being pegged, take the plastic covers off the instrument cluster (both black and clear). You will need a torx bit to do this. Take a screwdriver or something and just flick the needle back down. While cranking (at least on mine) the needle jumps up and down and on very rare occasion, the needle gets stuck up. That trick got mine workin with out buying a new cluster.

As for the sender not working, take a little bit of emery cloth and shine up the spade on the temp sender. You dont have to remove the sender from the car to do this. Shine the sender up and the connector on the wire if needed. My car was reading cold all the time. I cleaned the sender and connector and presto. Back to life. Both are FREE things to try. I dont like just changing parts until I exhaust troubleshooting. Even if the part is cheap....

mikespeed

LOL SOB!!!
I was just logging in to say that!!

I ordered a temp guage from http://houseofcamaro.com/ (Lots of help there. I will be calling them again!) at noon on Thurs. It got here today. As I pulled the plastic window and the metal bezel off the needle dropped down into place. I stopped there and took the car for a spin with the front of the guage cluster off, and sure enough the damn thing works fine. For whatever reason the tip of the needle was getting caught on the bezel. (Every time I start the car the needle peggs and goes back to normal. It's meant to do that right?) So my solition: snip off the tip of the needle. Now its not long enough to get caught on the bezel! problem solved!

Whitsroc, Your post came a day too late to save me from buying a new temp guage. However you were right on the money.

That being said,... Does anyone need a temp gauge?

whitsroc

Dont need one but glad you got your gauge working... nice work