94Z28'MachThis'

Hey guys, today went out to start the car since I havent driven her in awhile since all the snow started to fall. Let the car warm up for about 10 min while I was helping a buddy with his bmw e36. When i get back to my car the temp gauge reads 260+. Im like WTF!! turn the car off run to the motor and its luke warm... ok wtf?.. start the car after it was off for about 5 min and temp gauge reads under 360 but then raises quickly to260+ again.

So what I did last spring break: new temp sensor top to gauge, coolant flush, new radiator. About three yrs ago it got a lower temp thermo.

What do you think my problem is? The car isnt overheating but the gauge reads redlined... So does it sound like its time for another thermo, temp sensor, or could my water pump be going out?.. I will say that im pretty sure my waterpump is still working because i did let the car get hot with the rad cap off... it was moving the coolant or so i think... what are yalls thoughts?

AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

I think your temp sensor took a ****. Where did you get it?

94Z28'MachThis'

Its been almost a year since I did buy it... I think it got it at autozone possibly?.. i could have got it online, I bought alot of stuff at the same time. I would say autozone most likely though... the sensor has less than 3,000 miles on it since last year you think it would be bad already?

AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

if its from autozone more than likely its the problem. Might also want to check out the wires from it.

94Z28'MachThis'

Ill check that... thanks AC... anyone else want to chime in?.. more the marrier!!...

speed_demon24

iTrader: (6)

Where did you get a 360 degree water temp gauge?

94Z28'MachThis'

hey speed, im not really sure to tell you the truth either... I did that when i did my new tb, cai, elbo, exhaust, and some other stuff 3-4 yrs ago... Out of a perforamce parts catalog at my dads big o tires store cause thats where i did all my work.. thats the only place I could tell you where i got it from..

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

He's saying the stock gauge only goes to 260, so where did you get 360 from?

If the gauge is pegged full hot, then the single wire lead is grounded out somewhere. Trace the wire beginning at the sensor.

94Z28'MachThis'

haha... ok ok my bad... its been finals week and my brains fried... its pegged past 260 redline.. but im sure if the gauge went to 360 it would be past that too lol...

draggin97s10

iTrader: (2)

its grounded out

94Z28'MachThis'

grounded out on what draggin?.. I know it could be on anything but where would the likely place for that the top or the bottom one to ground out on?.. its already black out and like 5degrees out so I think this might have to wait till tomorrow

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

Maybe you missed my post...

The gauge sending unit on the driver side head is a one-wire sensor. If the wire is broken or grounded out the gauge will peg. Starting at the sensor, check the wire for any breaks. It may also help to have someone watch the gauge and wiggle the wire at the sensor. If the gauge responds, you know the break is in the connector/sensor.

Have you done any modifications and/or work in the area of the sensor?

badass383formula96

mine does it when the wire touches the headers, zip tie fixed that.

nomoneyz

iTrader: (15)

Just curious, if you tap the gauge cluster will the needle move. I have this problem as well but mine seems to be a cluster issue as when I hit the cluster the needle will read normal for a while then shoot up to past the red.

lifeisgood

iTrader: (4)

not to be a thread *****, but super jealous of the car, that was my first fbody, quasar blue z.

94Z28'MachThis'

Hey guys.. I worked till late last nite and I opened up this morning. Will be out looking at what is causing this thing to be a C-word at 1 lol... Thanks everyone for the input btw.. and last spring break so mid March? I did lt headers no emissions, poly motor mounts, spec 2+ clutch, Al flywheel, poly trans mount, oil cooler delete, new radiator, coolant flush, thats the basic of that.. I did at some point break the top coolant temp gauge. I did replace it and everything was fine. Actually better than the stock temp sensor gauge.. anyway I will be looking at the car at 1 with the dr.'s diagnosis lol..

and thanks life.. At least you have 4 z28's and i have only have one... I always have love the color blue.. wish my bike i just picked up was blue.. but blazen pearl orange grew on me lol..

draggin97s10

iTrader: (2)

what ramair said bro, sorry i wasnt specific

94Z28'MachThis'

also.. when i did headers.. i heat wrapped the temp sensor on the block.. just for piece of mind... unless it fell off.. it shouldnt be touching anything... But will check everything in 1 hr 40 min. thanks guys!!

ks my ss

I broke my sending unit in the head when I put headers on my cars years ago and the autozone replacement was way off. So I got another one and it was the same. The temp was high and it would move all over from 150-240.

I finally put a dual sending unit in the waterpump for both the pcm and the gauge.

94Z28'MachThis'

Car is still being a C-word... will have to work on it on monday.. will post up what i find... but found that my number 1 spark plug was not screwed in too tightly..