When I compared what was sent my temp gauge sits just about right as does my gas guage. Only speedometer is definitely off. Probably not worth pulling it out for that. I did find a brand new thermostat to put in though.

 

Original poster here, I put a new thermostat in (190 degree or something like that) did not change the temp sensor, the dash needle still rides at about 3:30 (3:45?) or so, not at 3 oclock. Is my next step to try a new temp sensor? Dave

 

No, the next step is to get a code reader and check the actual temp. As Jim said, maybe someone pulled the neddle off and didn't put it back on right.

 

Better yet, get a thermometer and put it in the coolant recovery tank or tape it tight to the upper hose and see what the actual temperature is.

If you use a code reader (OBDII) you are reading the coolant temperature sensor through the computer and if the CTS is off you're still not reading the actual temperature.

If your actual temperature is in the 190 to 205 degree range then wherever your needle is, that would be your "3'Oclock" position. You either take the dash apart and reorient the needle on the shaft of just mentally make a note of the position.

 

Preventative maintenance can go along ways to vehicle operation. Reverse flushing the heat/cooling system & ensuring the radiator & hoses are in good condition is important. Radiator hoses can collapse when hot, radiators with age can clog. Condensor filters can clog. Evaporator cores build up with contaminates. Thermostats wear out. Radiator shops can be a better choice than dealers.

 

Thanks for the words everyone.

Well I needed the car for an out of town run this past weekend so I hired out the thermo replacement. My mechanic said they used an external coolant measurement gun (never heard of one of those) reads the temp by aiming it at the upper rad hose. Never heard of anything like that but I've always trusted the guy. He said the car was measuring 190 degrees.

Guess what I'm wondering is: the car might be getting up to 190, but does the computer think it is at 190? Or does the computer think it is 160- hence causing a rich mixture. Seems to run well and the plugs are nice and bright- don't really think it is running rich. Guess a temp reading with the OBDII would tell me what the computer thinks the temp is (and the condition of the temp sensor), yes? I don't really care if the needle sits level, just that the computer gets correct info- you know?

Thanks! Dave

 

It's an infrared thermometer. Nice thing is you don't need to make contact with the thing you want to measure. Most have a laser dot to help you aim.

To find out about the computer someone would need to once again measure the actual temperature of the coolant and have a scan tool connected to your OBDII port and read the live data output of the coolant temperature sender.
Might be easier and cheaper just to replace it if you're in doubt.

 

Hey Dave: I'm still not thrilled about your temperature test. Did you say that you DID have the thermostat replaced? If so, that's good. Was the temp taken after the thermo replacement?

As for the idle temp test, my car's temp varies 30 degrees while operating at normal temperature. Example: While driving down the freeway it's cooler than sitting at the bank drive through. It is usually about 185 while driving down the freeway, and when sitting at the bank waiting for my change it can get as high as 215. So, if you were sitting at the parts store or garage and they hit it with the tester and it read 190 with the hood open, they may have been fine. If they popped the hood and checked it pretty quickly it maybe should have been 205 or 210. Not really trying to strain over 10 degrees but 30 may be another issue. (My guess is that the fan kicks on between 210 and 215).

Was the needle at 3 O'clock when he read 190?

 

Just read a few post up. Time is getting the best of me.

I would read your obd-II port and if it is not reading close to the tester, I'd say you should replace the sensor.

 

rspi- yeah I did have the thermostat replaced and he measured the temp after it was installed. needle has still never made it to 3:00, and i dont think the fan has ever come on. I mean ever (since i've owned it at least)

Is having my codes checked as easy as rolling into my local Autozone and having them hook up a scanner to the OBDII (right after getting there)? They check codes if you have an engine light on (which thankfully I dont) wonder if the temp info can be had.

Thanks, Dave

 

Yes they can read live data or freeze frame. It will show temp.

 

The free scanning at parts stores doesn't do live data. The unit is a bit more expensive and you need to have some skills to navigate the menus.

BUT, I could be wrong and it wouldn't hurt to call and ask. If you find a AutoZone or Oreilly or ..... that can do live data please post it.

 

Ok, good, I'll make some calls at lunchtime, need to sort out this radiator fan issue sometime too. Why don't I take care of this stuff in the summer when I have alternate vehicles to drive to work? Dave

 

The guy at Autozone plugged into my OBDII and said he saw "no error codes" so that meant the temp sensor is OK. Should the reader tell me the actual temperature? Dave

 

Yes the reader could tell you the temp that the ECU thinks the coolant temp is. I probably would have had them shoot the temp again with the gun. Also, the temp sensor will not toss a code. :? It just won't tell the ECU what the correct temp is. It may tell the computer that the car is at 180 degrees when it's actually 60 degrees. This creates a very hard cold start situation. So it could be stuck at 160 which may be why your gauge is not at 3 O'clock position.

 

Oreilly uses and sells the brand Innova and Autozone uses and sells Actron testers. The ones I've seen them use don't do live data, but again some stores might be using the more expensive units and have someone who knows how to use them. I wouldn't count on being able to get someone to plug in and read live date on their free diagnostics. I'd call to make sure you find a store that can first.

 

I purchased the cheapest (I think) OBD-II reader that I could find on eBay when I got my first one 3 years ago. It does do the live data and freeze frame.

Besides that, if you own one of these cars you should purchase one. It will save you a lot of time and money in the short run.

 

I agree, you should get one. It will help you with your Volvo and other cars. I have found mine to be extremely valuable...but dont tell your friends or you'll have a line outside your house.