Hi,

So my temperature gauge dilemma is a bit different than the pegging one I've been reading up on. I have an '86 SE 2.5.

When I start the car cold, the temp gauge reads fine (accuracy be damned). Turn off the car, wait 1 minute, 5, 20 minutes, and it pegs at zero.

Is this a bad sensor or something else, perhaps a cable?

Thanks

Temp sensor resistance is inversely related to temperature, that is, it has less resistance the hotter it gets. Sounds like you may have corrosion going on in the socket. Try plugging in and removing the plug a couple of times and see if that helps. Probably not the wiring beyond the plug.

You can test the sensor with an ohm meter and a pan of boiling water: you should have resistance of around 3500 ohms at room temperature and a resistance of around 185 ohms in a boiling water bath.

If you do not know how to use an ohm meter, let me know and I can walk you through it....but check the socket first.

Good Luck,
Larry

Thanks for the reply!

Yep, I'll check the socket first and then run the tests.

And yes, I do classic stereo & speaker repair/rebuilds, replacing caps is a favorite pastime you could say.