Temp. Gauge stopped working... - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

kazuo · 04-18-2003, 03:03 AM

Car is a '89 S13 Coupe w/ SR20DET Redtop motor.

Basic jist of this problem is: Temperature Gauge in the stock gauge cluster suddenly stopped working. Don't know why. It worked when I first swapped the motor in, and recently it just went dead. Even after letting her idle for about 5 mins and taking her for a spin around the block, the needle doesn't move an inch.

Does anyone know what would cause it to stop functioning? I am sure there are many things, but I'd like to get an idea of what it could be so I can work on fixing the problem.

Thanks

allmotorKA · 04-18-2003, 10:43 AM

The two things I would check first are:

Coolant level...make sure you have enough.

Electrical connection to the gauge temp sensor...make sure it is connected and has continuity.

kazuo · 04-18-2003, 12:37 PM

The resevior is on "max" and the radiator is filled... I've checked the wiring nad it *looks* okay; I plan to check it for continuity later today.

In the meantime... any more ideas?

I'd like to get this problem licked...

Thanks

Quote:

Originally posted by allmotorKA
The two things I would check first are:

Coolant level...make sure you have enough.

Electrical connection to the gauge temp sensor...make sure it is connected and has continuity.

syco3d · 04-18-2003, 03:12 PM

your sensor could have just crapped out on you... they're about $20 for a new one...(DOHC anyways)

kazuo · 04-18-2003, 05:21 PM

After doing some massive searching through the forums, I found several threads were people had similar problems. A couple of people mentioned that if you let the car idle and warm itself up, and the lower radiator hose remains cold, then the thermostat isnt opening up.

Well, I let the sucker idle for nearly 10 mins., and I revved it at 2k for about a minute, and the lower radiator hose was cold. The upper hose was pretty warm, as was the radiator.

I also understand that the temp. gauge gets its signal from the thermo... and the temp. gauge USED to work. Would this mean that the thermostat is to blame?

I want to just change it out, but I don't want to go around changing out parts that don't need changing...

Any help is appreciated. =)

(BTW... the thermo is a 76.5c one from a Sentra correct?)

syco3d · 04-18-2003, 08:46 PM

Actually the temp gauge gets it's signal from the coolant temp sensor. It's located in the front of the intake manifold. ...look for a small red harness. ...again this is for the DOHC, if you have a SOHC it *might* be different.

kazuo · 04-20-2003, 01:19 AM

I'm actually running a SR20DET, not a KA. Do you happen to know offhand where the sensor is located on a SR? I've been looking through the .pdf of the S14 FSM, but its hard to find stuff in it... its huge, and you can't use the "Find" command on a .pdf :/

Thanks

(oh, I also replaced the thermo today... the car stopped overheating, apparently (finally!), but the gauge sitll doesnt work.

Quote:

Originally posted by syco3d
Actually the temp gauge gets it's signal from the coolant temp sensor. It's located in the front of the intake manifold. ...look for a small red harness. ...again this is for the DOHC, if you have a SOHC it *might* be different.

syco3d · 04-21-2003, 11:08 AM

I honestly have no clue where it is at on the SR. As far as finding things in the online FSM, at the start there should be an Index, which will list catagories with corisponding page numbers.

N1ceDrgn · 04-21-2003, 12:17 PM

The location for a lot of things for the KA, KA-DE, the CA and the SR are located in similar areas. If you were looking for something on the SR, I'd try to look at what the location is on the KA24DE. From my experience, there are similarities between each engine respectively. The KA24D and the CA, then the KA24DE and the SR. The engine design is similar, not the same but there are similarities. That's a little bit of info I can send your way.

SSDwellah · 04-21-2003, 12:56 PM

You CAN use the find command on a PDF you just downloaded the crappy version of acrobat reader, download the full version of acrobat reader which says that it has the ability to search.

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

LOOK AT STEP 2!!!

04-18-2003, 03:03 AM	#1
kazuo Post Whore! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Posts: 2,762 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Temp. Gauge stopped working... Car is a '89 S13 Coupe w/ SR20DET Redtop motor. Basic jist of this problem is: Temperature Gauge in the stock gauge cluster suddenly stopped working. Don't know why. It worked when I first swapped the motor in, and recently it just went dead. Even after letting her idle for about 5 mins and taking her for a spin around the block, the needle doesn't move an inch. Does anyone know what would cause it to stop functioning? I am sure there are many things, but I'd like to get an idea of what it could be so I can work on fixing the problem. Thanks

04-18-2003, 03:12 PM	#4
syco3d Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Topeka, Ks Age: 41 Posts: 363 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	your sensor could have just crapped out on you... they're about $20 for a new one...(DOHC anyways) __________________ Gimme a "A"! Gimme a "P"! Gimme a "C"! What does that spell? CRAP!

04-18-2003, 08:46 PM	#6
syco3d Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Topeka, Ks Age: 41 Posts: 363 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Actually the temp gauge gets it's signal from the coolant temp sensor. It's located in the front of the intake manifold. ...look for a small red harness. ...again this is for the DOHC, if you have a SOHC it might be different. __________________ Gimme a "A"! Gimme a "P"! Gimme a "C"! What does that spell? CRAP!

04-21-2003, 11:08 AM	#8
syco3d Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Topeka, Ks Age: 41 Posts: 363 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I honestly have no clue where it is at on the SR. As far as finding things in the online FSM, at the start there should be an Index, which will list catagories with corisponding page numbers. __________________ Gimme a "A"! Gimme a "P"! Gimme a "C"! What does that spell? CRAP!

04-21-2003, 12:17 PM	#9
N1ceDrgn Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SoCal Posts: 259 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The location for a lot of things for the KA, KA-DE, the CA and the SR are located in similar areas. If you were looking for something on the SR, I'd try to look at what the location is on the KA24DE. From my experience, there are similarities between each engine respectively. The KA24D and the CA, then the KA24DE and the SR. The engine design is similar, not the same but there are similarities. That's a little bit of info I can send your way. __________________ ..working on something that is slowly getting built up and restored..

04-18-2003, 10:43 AM	#2
allmotorKA Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SoCal Posts: 204 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	The two things I would check first are: Coolant level...make sure you have enough. Electrical connection to the gauge temp sensor...make sure it is connected and has continuity.

04-18-2003, 05:21 PM	#5
kazuo Post Whore! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Posts: 2,762 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	After doing some massive searching through the forums, I found several threads were people had similar problems. A couple of people mentioned that if you let the car idle and warm itself up, and the lower radiator hose remains cold, then the thermostat isnt opening up. Well, I let the sucker idle for nearly 10 mins., and I revved it at 2k for about a minute, and the lower radiator hose was cold. The upper hose was pretty warm, as was the radiator. I also understand that the temp. gauge gets its signal from the thermo... and the temp. gauge USED to work. Would this mean that the thermostat is to blame? I want to just change it out, but I don't want to go around changing out parts that don't need changing... Any help is appreciated. =) (BTW... the thermo is a 76.5c one from a Sentra correct?)

04-21-2003, 12:56 PM	#10
SSDwellah Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: outside Boston, MA Posts: 10 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You CAN use the find command on a PDF you just downloaded the crappy version of acrobat reader, download the full version of acrobat reader which says that it has the ability to search. http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html LOOK AT STEP 2!!!