I am having an issue with my '94 Z24 (3.1L Auto). The Temp gauge is not working, I have read every thread on this site that I could find that pertains to this problem.
The car has 105Kish miles on it, and runs strong. I thought it would be a simple fix, so I went an purchased a new coolant temp sensor, and still not working. I know that the water pump is moving coolant, and the thermostat is opening.
It throws good heat and isn't over heating.
Seems the Cooling fan won't kick in if the Temp Gauge isn't working?
I'm trying to get this solved before the opressive Arizona summer gets here and I start overheating it and cause some damage.
Any ideas on what else I can check?
Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks!!!
could have an issue with the Relay switch to the fan. Rung a jumper wire from the battery to the positive lead to the fan if it turns on then your Fan Relay is no good. Also your temp gauge could be shot. Easy fix just reroute the wiring off the older one and add an external one in the car.
Good Luck.
Thanks Rich... Thats what I was thinking. Was hoping to keep stock gauges, but will go that route if necessary.
Any other ideas out there?
Ok you did the right thing initially to replace the sending unit.Now here is my suggestion,remove the plug on the sending unit and then use a small piece of sand paper(very small) and slide in and out to clean the terminal.Reinstall and turn key on and see if gauge moves.Now a simple check plug removed from sender place a piece of wire in the end and ground it to a good ground and turn your key ON only gauge should peg out at HOT.IF the gauge goes back DOWN or does not move at all would indicate you have a bad gauge! You can do a continuity check with a multimeter with the audible sound,or just seem if it reads in the OHMs at all key On only.My best bet is your gauge is bad,or has a bad connection and removing the cluster and reinstalling just recheck after driving or grounding the temp sensor to see if the gauge registers to HOT meaning gauge is fine and sensor is defective(but in this check it would not be) bc new sender,and just fixing a bad connection.You may have just to do a cluster swap for a junkyard find,bc I am not fluent with the 94s if the gauge is removeable item soley bc it it probably a 1 piece cluster.I sure hope this makes sense and IF I need to clarify something by all means ask lots of questions.Checking for continuity meaning wire from gauge to sender is reading a signal is a good thing,and the ohms should read something(not sure on the #s on this I would have to check to see my books if any are there).I am betting your gauge is faulty or a bad connection on the dash cluster.Ok I am done with my book.Hope this gives u more info than you search for right.
3.1L has two sensor one on the rear head and one near the thermostat. The one on the rear head has ONE WIRE. I believe it is GREEN. This controls the Gauge ONLy. There is a two wire one near the thermostat. This one has I believe a Pink and black wire. That is a guess. This one controls the fan and feed the ecu. Make sure you replace that one. The relay for the fan is by the battery. They are know to go bad. I replace mine twice.
On the inside my car looks like a fighter jet.
Thank you all! Problem is solved. Turns out that Green Wire to the rear sensor was unplugged. Gauge is working and the fan kicks in when appropriate. Can't believe I didn't know about that sensor.
Most people dont know v6s gave two sensors on Gen 2 motors.
On the inside my car looks like a fighter jet.
3rd gen and new v6s dont have 2 sensors GM plugs the head on the new ones, and only uses a one sensor now since all the gauges are controlled by the ecu now.
On the inside my car looks like a fighter jet.
