THCARGUY

Hi all! I've noticed lately that the temperature gage in my 91 TA with the 350 warms up to 160 degrees and stays there. I replaced the thermostat last year and just replaced it again because of this but it still stays at 160. I have been using a 180 degree thermostat. Is this normal? If not, could it be the temp sensor or the gage? It has been setting a code 44 for lean condition too but don't think that it is related? Thanx!

THCARGUY

One more thing. When I say that it is stays at 160, that is just what it shows on the temp gage inside the car. Not sure what the temp actually is.

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

Are your fans in the factory set up or wired to stay on all the time?

Rent/borrow an IR thermostat and check the temp at the top of the radiator.

Our gauges are notoriously off. My temp gauge above the hash between the 220* and redl line when my fan turns on (Fan switch 215* fan switch) so I'm at least 20-30* high on my reading.

THCARGUY

My fans are still setup from the factory. I have owned the car for nearly 20 years now and I was thinking that the temp gage usually varies more, moving upwards towards the 220 mark at times. Right now it just heats up to the 160 mark and stays there. I am thinking about replacing the temp sensor just for grins since it appears to be the original one.

jwfirebird

iTrader: (2)

if its like the truck engines there are two separate sensors, one by the thermostat for the ecu and one by the pass side head for the gauge. if its lean i would guess the engine really is 160 and either the pcm is seeing the wrong temp and turning the fans on early or there is a stuck relay making it be on all the time.

THCARGUY

I really hadn't thought about the fans being on too long. I will check that out. So if the car is running too cool then the computer might lean the fuel mixture?

paulo57509

If the ECM thinks the engine is cool it would richen the mixture.

Think in terms of a carburetor. Cold engine = choke only partially open = rich mixture.

THCARGUY

That makes sense. Darn! I was hoping to maybe fix two problems with one fix. I am also at this time getting a code 44 (lean mixture) that I have posted a thread for in "Tech/Engine".
I just replaced the o2 sensor but I really don't think that is my lean problem. I still haven't had a chance to check out the fan suggestion yet. I sure appeciate everyones input!