95 Legacy temp gauge woes

[brighton98]

I noticed that the temp gauge on my 95 2.2 was barely off the peg instead of close to 1/2 like usual. I changed the t-stat without effect. I did have a code for the ECTS months ago, but I cleared it and it never returned. Car runs fine-is this more likely an ECTS problem, or the gauge sender?? Thanks.

[nipper]

Temp gauge has it's own sensor.

 

You may have an air bubble in the engine. Did you use an OE t-stat?

[brighton98]

OE T-stat. Filled and burped system according to Endwrench instructions. Problem existed before stat change. ECTS or gauge sensor?

[nipper]

Lets skip the endwrench instructions, amuse me.

 

With car running, (on level ground) SLOWLY add coolant till the radiator is full. Wait for the t-stat to open, there will be a surge of fluid. Slowly top off the cooling system untill full. Monitor engine temp. Put cap on, make sure overflow tank is filled to the hot line. Drive around the block. Let the car cool off, check level in radiator. Repeat if needed.

 

This is the procedure since cars were water cooled, (some people are impatient and skip this including shops - just an FYI). All cars should be filled like this.

 

Individual soobys can sometimes be a real bear to burp. Did you use 50/50 premix and no tap water?

Edited July 19, 2010 by nipper

[logic23]

could also be a failed sensor. Its the 1 wire sensor on the coolant crossover pipe/ passengers side/ tucked under there real good. Hook up a OBD2 scanner that can read sensors in real time. drive until the car should be warmed up (197 deg after 5-10 min.) The computer reads the 2 wire "bigger" sensor so if the car reads normal temp but the gauge doesn't then you have a bad gauge,sensor or wire in between.

The way i test the gauge is touch the single wire that goes to the sensor to ground. This should peg the gauge which =good wire and gauge.