I recently replaced both of my coolant temp sensors (one in the water pump and one in the block) and now my temp reads in the red all the time. When my sensor went bad my temp gauge would spike all the way past the red as soon as I turned my ignition on. My cooling system was fine before the sensor went bad so I know it's not that. Is there a trick or a way a person can recalibrate the temp sensor to read the corrcect reading with out having to spend a huge amount of $$ at a repair shop? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

Did you use the right sensors? The sensor for the PCM (on water pump)is different than the one for the temp gage (on side of block)

 

I took the sensor off the car and took it in to my local auto parts store and matched it up. The sensor on the pump went bad before and I replaced with a part from the same parts store with no problems but it wasn't until I replaced the one on the block is when I noticed the problem.

 

Maybe they gave you a bad sensor. Touch the wire to the gage sensor to ground. With the key on the gage should peg hot. If it does the gage is good an the sender is bad. If the gage stays pegged cold, the wire is bad or the gage is bad.

 

I'll check that out this weekend. Thanks Pete.

 

One other note: Did you use any teflon sealant?? I replaced the temp sitch n my car in the block and the teflon tape/sealant prevented a good ground and my gauge was spiked also. All I did was remove the sensor, clean off the sealant and put it back in, with only a LITTLE sealant.....worked like a charm

 

Good point professor. Got to have electrical continuity.

 

Ah! Good point! Thanks guys.