My coolent gauge moves when the car is swictched on but stayes cold .. can somone give me the wireing colors and locactions or any info to test the system with my dvom . i just replaced a coolent temp sensor that dident do anythign . i should have tested it first but i just figured i throw that at it can someone give em a idea? i cant find a wireing diagram on it its a 88 firebird tpi

 

The CTS (coolant temp sensor) for a TPI is on the fron of the intakes base and has 2 wires to it (usually yellow & black), this CTS is for the ECM only. The gauge coolant sensor/sender is located in the drivers side head between exhaust ports 1 & 3 with a single green wire.
You may very well know that but, from what you said, it sounded like you replaced the wrong thing for the gauge. I could easily be wrong though.

The easiest test to see if the wire to the gauge is still in tact all the way to the gauge is just by grounding it to the block. If the gauge pegs, the wire from the gauge sensor to the gauge itself is good.

 

Your guage should peg when cranking the engine to start it. That's the self test mode. If the guage swings during cranking it OK. As DB stated the sender is located bet cyls 1&3. It has a single green wire. Did you change the plugs? It's common for the wire to pop off while working, it does not have a locking connector like most of the underhood connectors. If you replace it get a GM original-it will be calibrated better to your guage. I have seen some aftermarket ones read as much as 20 degrees different from the OE unit.

 

thats what i thaught i just wasent sure of the location of the sensor seprate for the gauge .. yeah i did replace the wrong one i just threw in what the parts store gave me but that sesor for the gauge doesnt even have a wire going to it now that i have had it up on the lift i see it

 

Eddie,my 86 did the same thing,once you hook up the wire by the exh manifold your gague will work ok.