my temp gage stays all the way back like in the picture and when it finally warms up it only goes up to 100 and not 180 like it should. i changed the gage and temp sensor and it still does that.thanks

 

Strange. My 85 does the same thing. I have not changed the guage or sensor yet.
Im curious as to what could be the issue with yours, or if its a known issue with third gens.
Im on my 4th third gen and none of them before have done this.

 

thats funny im also on my forth 3rd gen and this one is the only one that has done this. im thinking it might have something to do with the cluster or something like that. it just bugs the hell out of me

 

Somthing is not right there haha wish i could help

 

Don't confuse those pointy, wavy things in your dash for actual gages that provide any real, objective information on the state of your motor. They're notoriously inaccurate. You may, however, be able to improve it's operation.

The sender works as a variable resistor, lower resistance= higher gage reading (higher temp). Try grounding the sensor lead and the gage should peg up.

Your gage's operation is likely caused by high resistance somewhere in the circuit. Either the gage isn't getting the proper signal voltage or there is high resistance in the leg going to the sender (ground). Clean the contacts behind the gage and trace the wiring down with a multi-meter.

Or your gage is just sucky.

 

When they stick like that, it's usually because the needle has swung out over the metal edge of the guage face and the back of the needle hanging up on the edge.

 

This is true

 

I have the same car!!!
..and quite the same problem with a difference:
my temp gauge works properly only when the car is started cold..the needle rise up regular with no problem.
Then if i stop and restart the (alredy hot) engine the needle drop down dead as displaied in the nightowls_gm pic.
To let the temp gauge work again i have to get the engine complitely cold (sometimes more than 24 hrs).
is this a grounding problem too?

ps: I've alredy replaced the sending unit with a new one but it happens anyway.

Thank you for your time!

Manuel from italy!!!

 

asfalto i think you have a short in your wire, get the car warmed up and if the gauge isnt working wiggle the wire going to the temp sender and to the OP try grounding the wire that goes to sender it wont hurt anything and it should shoot to the top ( might get stuck. remove the cover and just unstick it) oh and if your fans for some reason are always on, it might never make it hotter than a hundred. My dual fans will keep it cold in texas weather if I let em

 

mine did that same thing..

I went and bought an AutoMeter water temp guage... wouldnt do it any other way..

 

thank you ATX-Iroc! i've alredy checked the wiring and clean the contacts on the sending unit. the problem persists. i think i'm gonna check the wiring of the gauge in the dash.
i can't figure out why the temp gauge works from cold to hot engine only; if i restart hot engine the gauge dies!!

ps: my fans turn on by a manual switch

thanks
ciao
Manuel

 

Drew, if I take the instr. panel off how do I take the temp. gauge itself off to get it unstuck?