I have a 1986 Camaro IROC Z TPI. My coolant temp sender on the driver's side head was corroded and the male connector snapped off. I was given a part number for this forum for a Duralast replacement but when I ordered it, Autozone only had the coolant temp sensor with the female end, not the sender. I tried O'Reilly's and NAPA both same thing, they only had the coolant temp sensor despite listing a coolant temp sender.
Finally Advance Auto had the BWD unit with part #WT359. After replacing it and reconnecting the green wire, my gauge needle moves during start up but then drops below 100 quickly afterwards and doesn't climb past 100.

I had a spare replacement gauge from West Coast Auto parts when I ordered a complete set of replacement gauges from them (I've replaced the fuel gauge, voltage gauge and tach and all of them work fine). I put the new gauge in and same thing, the needle moves to 260 during startup and quickly falls to below 100. It remains below 100 while driving.

Any idea of why this isn't work? I have a multimeter, any idea of what specifically I should check?

According to this diagram the only thing the Temp Gauge runs to is the sender and the ignition switch. The ignition switch was replaced 4 years ago and even then I had no problems with the gauge.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...ender-81-0.jpg

 

 

I had a buddy of mine test the sender, the pigtail and gauge itself with a multimeter. The gauge has power to it because during startup, the needle climbs to 260 and quickly drops to below 100 and remains there while driving. All other gauges work fine. Any ideas of what else to check?

 

 

I ended up replacing the pigtail connector and the gauge works. The connect still drew voltage under ohms but I guess it wasn't enough? The gauge works now.