water temperture gauge question

crazyhorse357 · 08-01-2006, 09:30 AM

Hi Everyone,
The water temp gauge stopped working in my 1993 Chevy G-20 van, could someone tell me where to start looking for the problem, I don't want to drive it with out this gauge working.
many thanks,
Frank Smith
Greenwood, MS

mudseeker · 08-01-2006, 05:12 PM

there should be a temp sensor on the side of the engine block, i would start there.

crazyhorse357 · 08-02-2006, 10:12 AM

Thanks ole buddy,
I will attempt to locate the sending unit, I will have to pull off the motor cover on the inside of the van cause I can't see anything from under the hood.
I will let you kow how I progress.
thanks again
Frank aka crazyhorse357

bradrhale · 08-02-2006, 12:59 PM

if i remember right, the sensor should be half way down on the drivers side of the block

crazyhorse357 · 08-02-2006, 04:29 PM

I appreciate your response to my question, I will start looking in the AM when it is somewhat cooler, it is 99 degrees here at 6:25 PM and I can't take this heat.
Many thanks,
Frank Smith
aka crazyhorse357

wojeepster · 08-07-2006, 05:18 PM

most temperature senders are reverse coifficient thermistors. this means they have a high resistance reading when cold (like 273k ohms or 273,000ohms)and a much lower resistance when hot(270 ohms). A corroded connection or broken one increases the resistance and makes the gage read cold or not at all. Senders sometimes do go bad too. For any electrical device to work the circuit has to be complete. This means if the ground is broken it won't work at all either. If you can get someone to MOMENTARILY ground (good ground batt -)the sender wire the gage should head for the hot. If you do this for too long you promply burn out the gage. If your gage moves you know it is in the temp sender or the ground circuit

crazyhorse357 · 08-07-2006, 07:41 PM

I sure do appreciate all that good information, I have checked the connectione and they all appear to be good.
I will check for proper ground tommorow as per your instructions and let you know what I find.
Many thanks,
Frank aka crazyhorse357

08-01-2006, 09:30 AM	#1
crazyhorse357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenwood, Mississippi Posts: 63	water temperture gauge question Hi Everyone, The water temp gauge stopped working in my 1993 Chevy G-20 van, could someone tell me where to start looking for the problem, I don't want to drive it with out this gauge working. many thanks, Frank Smith Greenwood, MS

08-02-2006, 10:12 AM	#3
crazyhorse357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenwood, Mississippi Posts: 63	reply Thanks ole buddy, I will attempt to locate the sending unit, I will have to pull off the motor cover on the inside of the van cause I can't see anything from under the hood. I will let you kow how I progress. thanks again Frank aka crazyhorse357 __________________ 1997 Lincoln Town Car 1993 Chevy G-20 conversion van

08-02-2006, 04:29 PM	#5
crazyhorse357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenwood, Mississippi Posts: 63	Thank You I appreciate your response to my question, I will start looking in the AM when it is somewhat cooler, it is 99 degrees here at 6:25 PM and I can't take this heat. Many thanks, Frank Smith aka crazyhorse357 __________________ 1997 Lincoln Town Car 1993 Chevy G-20 conversion van

08-07-2006, 07:41 PM	#7
crazyhorse357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenwood, Mississippi Posts: 63	Thanks I sure do appreciate all that good information, I have checked the connectione and they all appear to be good. I will check for proper ground tommorow as per your instructions and let you know what I find. Many thanks, Frank aka crazyhorse357 __________________ 1997 Lincoln Town Car 1993 Chevy G-20 conversion van

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08-01-2006, 05:12 PM	#2
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 7,155	there should be a temp sensor on the side of the engine block, i would start there.

08-02-2006, 12:59 PM	#4
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 9,536	if i remember right, the sensor should be half way down on the drivers side of the block

08-07-2006, 05:18 PM	#6
wojeepster Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 92	most temperature senders are reverse coifficient thermistors. this means they have a high resistance reading when cold (like 273k ohms or 273,000ohms)and a much lower resistance when hot(270 ohms). A corroded connection or broken one increases the resistance and makes the gage read cold or not at all. Senders sometimes do go bad too. For any electrical device to work the circuit has to be complete. This means if the ground is broken it won't work at all either. If you can get someone to MOMENTARILY ground (good ground batt -)the sender wire the gage should head for the hot. If you do this for too long you promply burn out the gage. If your gage moves you know it is in the temp sender or the ground circuit

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