just got my 89 camaro last night

from start up the gauge is pegged past normal temp range

gauge bad?

 

Probably wire to sending unit is grounded somewhere - should be a green wire that runs to a sender on driver side head between #1 and #3 spark plugs - the sender will have a single male spade connector on it, and wire a single female spade connector.

 

even on a 2.8?

 

First rule out the gauge isnt stuck and take the dash out and move it down manually.

 

And by 'take the dash out', it's meant as take the trim bezel and lens off the instrument cluster, not literally, 'take the entire dash out of the car'.

 

This.

 

If it goes back down when you turn off the car though, it's not stuck but probably grounded as mentioned. Same on any engine, they all use the same type sender, just in slightly different locations

 

nope it doesnt move when the car is off or on but ill take it out tomorrow after work

 

on the 2.8s the sending unit it right behind the ac compresser by the driver side valve cover