TL not reporting correct engine temp.

GNCOL · 11-28-2004, 03:20 PM

TL is showing water temp. of 180-200* when the VDO in-car gauge is reading 160-170. I have replaced the temp. sensor and checked the two-wire connector for any corrosion. Anyone have this probelm with TL? I emailed Ken Mosher and he said to check the connector/sensor, which I have done.

ULYCYC · 11-28-2004, 03:22 PM

Where is the VDO sensor mounted?

Steve Wood · 11-28-2004, 04:48 PM

electric? Mechanical?

GNCOL · 11-28-2004, 05:35 PM

Sensor is in the front of the block, just to the left of the upper radiator hose. It is electrical. Radiator cap never feels as hot as what TL indicates.

GNCOL · 11-28-2004, 08:14 PM

ttt

ULYCYC · 11-28-2004, 08:26 PM

You can't give a temp range of 160-170 or 180-200. What is the actual temp difference between the two. Sample 176 on vdo and 182 on TL. If under 10deg difference it's normal. The sending units are mounted 9" apart on the intake and will sence different temps. Also vdo is not as accurate as some of the other brands.

GNCOL · 11-28-2004, 09:07 PM

At least 20* difference. This just started happening about a month ago. Prior to that, they were reading about the same. Nothing has changed to cause it.

ULYCYC · 11-28-2004, 09:45 PM

Take the VDO sender and gauge off and power up in a pot of boiling water. Check against a digital thermometer for 212*
Some meat thermometers have a 212* test point also

GNCOL · 11-28-2004, 10:22 PM

I find it hard to believe that my car is running at 190-200* on a 50* day with a brand new 160* thermostat and the radiator cap is not hot to the touch. How could that be?

TL will indicate normal temp. at start up, but then quickly go high, come down, go high. Could the car's computer have something wrong with it and that is what TL reads?

ULYCYC · 11-28-2004, 10:24 PM

Maybe you have a defective thermostat

Steve Wood · 11-28-2004, 10:39 PM

I would suspect the accuracy of the electrical gauge. There is a reason why we always suggest mechanical.

It should read close to the ecm temp.

Zap · 11-28-2004, 11:05 PM

Access to another scan tool(directscan) would help to verify a few things.

GNCOL · 11-29-2004, 08:05 AM

When the problem started I replaced the 160* stainless thermostat and drained/flushed the radiator. I added RMI-25, distilled water and one gallon antifreeze for the winter. These actions did not fix the problem of high temp. reading.

I will try to find another scan tool and see what reading I get.

If another scan tool also reads high, what could the problem be? Thanks for the help.

ULYCYC · 11-29-2004, 09:12 AM

How did you check the ecm temp sensor? Did you follow a ohm to temp reference chart? Or did you install a new one?

Steve Wood · 11-29-2004, 09:18 AM

The problem is probably the inaccuracy of the electrical vdo gauge/sender.

As for as the accuracy of the factory unit...it is electrical as well so you can follow Ed's suggestion. 210 degs=185 ohms, 160=450,
100=1800, 70=3400, 40=7500. Graph it out and check the sensor.

Another quick check is to watch both displays and see which one most accurately reflects the thermostat opening.

11-28-2004, 03:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
GNCOL Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 1,725	TL not reporting correct engine temp. TL is showing water temp. of 180-200* when the VDO in-car gauge is reading 160-170. I have replaced the temp. sensor and checked the two-wire connector for any corrosion. Anyone have this probelm with TL? I emailed Ken Mosher and he said to check the connector/sensor, which I have done. __________________ Jim: 87 GN with: TE-61/PTE .63 housing; mildly ported stock heads; Erson 208 cam; Speed Pro forged pistons; rebuilt transmission and PTC 2,800 converter; 60# inj.; CAS V-4; 3" DP; ATR 2.5" SS exhaust; 62 JJ TB/stock plenum; RJC power plate; Gen II w/LS-1 MAF; Pete Tomka cold air system; SMC progressive alcohol; Walbro 340; Hoosier QTP (27"); and Extender G chip with 26/22 timing. Best 1/8 mile run: 6.904 @ 100.04 with 1.553 60'.

11-28-2004, 03:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
ULYCYC Fuhgeddaboudit Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Brooklyn & Long Beach, NY Posts: 18,377	Where is the VDO sensor mounted? __________________ ED BAKER 87-T, Maplight equipped rear view mirror.. 93 PARK AVE"SUPERCHARGED" BPG#1458 My Photo Page buickperformancegroup.com "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."---H.L. Mencken 1927

11-28-2004, 04:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Steve Wood Scam Detector Enabled Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 41,369	electric? Mechanical? __________________ ------------------ A proud member of Stonewallers Against Bogus Technology Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear. Thomas Jefferson . www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

11-28-2004, 08:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
ULYCYC Fuhgeddaboudit Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Brooklyn & Long Beach, NY Posts: 18,377	You can't give a temp range of 160-170 or 180-200. What is the actual temp difference between the two. Sample 176 on vdo and 182 on TL. If under 10deg difference it's normal. The sending units are mounted 9" apart on the intake and will sence different temps. Also vdo is not as accurate as some of the other brands. __________________ ED BAKER 87-T, Maplight equipped rear view mirror.. 93 PARK AVE"SUPERCHARGED" BPG#1458 My Photo Page buickperformancegroup.com "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."---H.L. Mencken 1927

11-28-2004, 09:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
ULYCYC Fuhgeddaboudit Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Brooklyn & Long Beach, NY Posts: 18,377	Take the VDO sender and gauge off and power up in a pot of boiling water. Check against a digital thermometer for 212* Some meat thermometers have a 212* test point also __________________ ED BAKER 87-T, Maplight equipped rear view mirror.. 93 PARK AVE"SUPERCHARGED" BPG#1458 My Photo Page buickperformancegroup.com "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."---H.L. Mencken 1927

11-28-2004, 05:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
GNCOL Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 1,725	Sensor is in the front of the block, just to the left of the upper radiator hose. It is electrical. Radiator cap never feels as hot as what TL indicates.

11-28-2004, 08:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
GNCOL Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 1,725	ttt

11-28-2004, 09:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
GNCOL Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 1,725	At least 20* difference. This just started happening about a month ago. Prior to that, they were reading about the same. Nothing has changed to cause it.

11-28-2004, 10:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
GNCOL Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 1,725	I find it hard to believe that my car is running at 190-200* on a 50* day with a brand new 160* thermostat and the radiator cap is not hot to the touch. How could that be? TL will indicate normal temp. at start up, but then quickly go high, come down, go high. Could the car's computer have something wrong with it and that is what TL reads?

11-28-2004, 10:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
ULYCYC Fuhgeddaboudit Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Brooklyn & Long Beach, NY Posts: 18,377	Maybe you have a defective thermostat __________________ ED BAKER 87-T, Maplight equipped rear view mirror.. 93 PARK AVE"SUPERCHARGED" BPG#1458 My Photo Page buickperformancegroup.com "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."---H.L. Mencken 1927

11-28-2004, 10:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
Steve Wood Scam Detector Enabled Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 41,369	I would suspect the accuracy of the electrical gauge. There is a reason why we always suggest mechanical. It should read close to the ecm temp. __________________ ------------------ A proud member of Stonewallers Against Bogus Technology Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear. Thomas Jefferson . www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

11-28-2004, 11:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
Zap Al Franken Eats Turds Join Date: May 2001 Location: A Tea Party Posts: 22,755	Access to another scan tool(directscan) would help to verify a few things. __________________ This space has been purchased by the Chinese.

11-29-2004, 08:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
GNCOL Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 1,725	When the problem started I replaced the 160* stainless thermostat and drained/flushed the radiator. I added RMI-25, distilled water and one gallon antifreeze for the winter. These actions did not fix the problem of high temp. reading. I will try to find another scan tool and see what reading I get. If another scan tool also reads high, what could the problem be? Thanks for the help.

11-29-2004, 09:12 AM	#14 (permalink)
ULYCYC Fuhgeddaboudit Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Brooklyn & Long Beach, NY Posts: 18,377	How did you check the ecm temp sensor? Did you follow a ohm to temp reference chart? Or did you install a new one? __________________ ED BAKER 87-T, Maplight equipped rear view mirror.. 93 PARK AVE"SUPERCHARGED" BPG#1458 My Photo Page buickperformancegroup.com "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."---H.L. Mencken 1927

11-29-2004, 09:18 AM	#15 (permalink)
Steve Wood Scam Detector Enabled Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 41,369	The problem is probably the inaccuracy of the electrical vdo gauge/sender. As for as the accuracy of the factory unit...it is electrical as well so you can follow Ed's suggestion. 210 degs=185 ohms, 160=450, 100=1800, 70=3400, 40=7500. Graph it out and check the sensor. Another quick check is to watch both displays and see which one most accurately reflects the thermostat opening. __________________ ------------------ A proud member of Stonewallers Against Bogus Technology Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear. Thomas Jefferson . www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode