erratic temperature gauge

ethan666 · May 1st, 2003, 12:42 AM

I need to get my hands on a service manual for my car, so I'm not exactly sure how to fix this. And the stupid Chilton's manual doesn't say anything about it...

My temperature gauge works every once in a while, but most of the time it just flips out erratically. I'm sure I just have a loose wire somewhere, but I have no idea where what the temperature gauge is connected to. Can someone attach a photo pointing out where the sensor is so I can see if it's loose?

Thanks much!

Unfortunately a search of this site as well as SE-R.net didn't help me out on this one... your help is appreciated.

[V]igilant[D]river · May 1st, 2003, 12:46 AM

Yea, mine does the same. It goes from the middle to the left erratically. I don't worry about it too much since it never goes to the right, hence overheating.

se-r-57 · May 1st, 2003, 07:28 AM

On the intake right above the oil filter you'll see 2 sensors skrewed in to it. One has 2 wires and the other has 1 wire. Make shure the one wih one wire has a good connection. That's the one for your gauge.

SE-Ridiculous · May 6th, 2003, 06:55 PM

I had the same problem so I had the whole Avi from an old
motor. its bolted on with like three screws.

or you could just change that temp sensor

May 6th, 2003, 07:19 PM

The temp gauge on your car is connected to the temp sensing thermistor on the engine and has a purple with white tracer stripe. Test as follows:

Remove single purple with white tracer wire from engine temp sensor (thermistor) and connect that wire to ground. This should put the temp gauge at full scale (hot). If it does... then drive around a little and watch the gauge. If it stays solid at hot, then the gauge, power for the gauge, and associated wiring are ok, replace the engine sensor.

If it fluctuates while the wire is grounded... then you have an intermittent somewhere in the wiring from the gauge to the sensor, the gauge could be faulty, or the power to the gauge cluster could be intermittent.

May 6th, 2003, 10:28 PM

I had the same problem on my 99 Altima. The culprit was the connection of the "L" shaped wire spade to the sensor. Tightened down the spade on the sensor, and the gauge has worked fine ever since.

Gump · May 7th, 2003, 12:55 PM

I would def check the wiring and replace the sending unit, heat is a killer.