tmdz28

iTrader: (2)

I have heard that 99+ camaro are equipped with a dummy coolant gauge?

Does this mean, that the "dummy" gauge show a consistent temp unless you're severely overheating?

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Basically, yes.

The '99+ gage will show right about 210° any time that coolant temps are in the 185-190ish to 230-235ish degree range.

tmdz28

iTrader: (2)

Ahh, thanks.

So basically the same gauge that 99% of cars on the road have.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Yes.....

myk

iTrader: (4)

So....if you're starting to overheat the gauge will let you know...somehow, someway...right?

burtonboy

iTrader: (1)

yea it will let you know if your starting to over heat. I'm not sure at what temp it starts to change but it def does at some point.

transamtom

iTrader: (8)

Your check gauges light will also come on if it gets too hot.

nolo200

iTrader: (3)

Yes. Not a very good indicator if you know what you're looking for. upgrade.

ToxicWS6

i have a 2000 ws6 and my temp gauge seems to be pretty on point, havnt put it to a test but before the 160 degree thermostat it sat at 210 but if i ran hard it would go up maybe 5 degrees then drop down, and now with the new thermostat i run at about 175-180 degrees, i feel mines basically accurate but

Mumbles

iTrader: (5)

Anybody have any recommendations on what type of gauge (Brand Name?) as an upgrade to have a more accurate Temp Reading?

HotSilverBird

Its not a dumby gauge by any means, it is setup like your fuel gauge. It shows a average instead of a instant so people don't complain about the temp gauge swinging high and low. SO this means its dead on but shows you an average. If you are running 180 average that what you will see real time. If you run hotter it will show hotter but not instantly, as the average temp increases so will the temp gauge. It works exactly like your fuel gauge, think of it like that.

GM did this because so many people complained about the temp gauges swinging over a wide range.

I think it works very well, it averages quickly so there really insn't anything to worry about. If you are running hot or cold it will show it.

HotSilverBird

Not true, it shows the average of what you are. so you don't see the spikes. If it stays at 230 it will show 230.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Watch the real temp with a scanner. It can stay within 20 degrees of the gage temp shown forever and the needle won't move.

I spent hours tuning my '00 car, looking at tons of logs. Coolant temp could be at 190°F for an entire highway log, and the gage would still show 210°. I'd say there is a buffer built in, not an average.

94 Camaro Z28

So did '98 cars have a gauge that shifted as opposed to a dummy gauge?

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Yes, the '98 gage shows more minor changes in temp.

HotSilverBird

Quite honestly i'm not sure why none of the guys that does programing hasn't changed the values in the PCM programing to have the 99 up cars update the temp real time. It should be easy, everything is there just like the older cars just that the info sent out of the PCM on the serial buss to the temp gauge has been averaged.

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

Not sure if this is right....I thought the 98 temp guage had an extra wire on it which helped with real time reading.... I just remember when I ordered my 98 CTS it was year specific because it had an extra wire.... Correct me if I am wrong because it was 3 +years ago....

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

You are correct, the '98 sending unit is a 3-wire vs a 2-wire for the '99+.

Tobias05

iTrader: (1)

here you go electrical engineers:

make your coolant temp gauge work

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Just to reconfirm, it's definitely NOT an average. I did some cold start scanning on my '02 car, and the gage was already showing just a hair under 210 when coolant temp had only reached 188°F during that key cycle.