Cooling issue w/ K5 or electrical issue with Temp guage?

[SC-Texas]

Here is a video that I shot of my temp guage.

It goes from 209 to 260+ when the AC is turned on.

You will notice that simply adding an electrical load such as raiding the window makes the temp climb rapidly.

The question is: Is this an electrical problem with the temp gauge or is this a cooling problem?

Why di I think it may be lectrical when I thought it was a cooling issue last month? Because turning the AC off causes the temp to fall about a degree a second, even at a stnadstill and turning the AC back on causes an immediate increase in temp. I don't beleive that the cooling system is that efficient.

Cick below for the video:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2039561703

 

[chevy wrangler]

my truck does 140 to 180

 

[SC-Texas]

The wierd thing is that I am not certain that the indicated temp is the actual tempurature.

Does anyone know an alternate method of checing the coolant temp?

 

[ccj8008]

Temp

Harbor freight has some inexpensive remote sensors. Just point it towards the bottom of your radiator and get a read. Otherwise, squeeze a standard thermometer into the fins near the bottom of your radiator.

Try tracking the wire from the temp sensor back to see if anything is out of whack.

 

[BKinzey]

Yes, check your connections. How does the grounding strap from the block to the body look? Why not add one?

Get a regular cooking thermometer. Take the radiator cap off, run the engine up to temp and put the thermometer in. It should be cooler than your guage. If the thermometer is the probe type, like a meat thermometer, you can hold the probe right on the top of the temp sender to see if they match.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

IMO, its probably the gauge. I would get an aftermarket gauge, replace the sender, and see what that says.

Running the engine without the radiator cap prevents the system from making pressure, which REALLY detracts from how well it can cool.

If your engine is really running 260+ you are VERY lucky to have not blown a head gasket, warped the heads, or cracked the block.

 

[dyeager535]

I can't get the link to work. Are your videos the ones that have the digital aftermarket gauge?

Where's your stock gauge? Put it back in and see what it says.

How bad is your radiator? (ok, how old is it?) I'd be inclined to *think* that with your symptoms, even with gauge issues something is going on. I don't know that even with antifreeze you can go much over 260* before it simply boils, and starts coming out every surface in the engine. BTDT.



Put the video up on youtube or something, maybe I can't view because I'm not logged into myspace?

 

[cabledawg]

The temp should go up some with the a/c on becasue the evaporator is in front of the radiator. The evaporator is where the a/c dissipates the heat that is produced in the system before returning back to the pump (or accumulator, I cant remeber which one it goes to first). Simply adding an electrical load (i.e. the window motor) shouldnt affect teh temp at all. I agree with ccj8008 and BKinzey on checking connections and grounding. Might have to install an aftermarket.

 

[BKinzey]

It's an electrical problem. The thermometer was only to confirm it. The electric window affecting the temp gauge is the big clue. You've got some voltage leak that is affecting the gauge. Check your wiring.

 

[SC-Texas]

http://www.atomiclabrat.com/Videos-%20MG/1989%20Blazer%20Temp%20Guage%20Antics.wmv

Here it is again on my website.

I checked it again yesterday, the temp does climb when an elctrical load is placed on the system

 

[SC-Texas]

I can't get the link to work. Are your videos the ones that have the digital aftermarket gauge?

Where's your stock gauge? Put it back in and see what it says.

How bad is your radiator? (ok, how old is it?) I'd be inclined to *think* that with your symptoms, even with gauge issues something is going on. I don't know that even with antifreeze you can go much over 260* before it simply boils, and starts coming out every surface in the engine. BTDT.



Put the video up on youtube or something, maybe I can't view because I'm not logged into myspace?

1. Myspace deleted the video. Don't know why and the video upload page is disabled for some reason. I uploaded it to my website, but its a bigger file and takes a minute to download.

2. The radiator is a few years old.
No stock gauge available.

 

[ryoken]

another reason these are invaluable tools...

ground the gauge sender wire and see if it pegs the gauge...

 

[SC-Texas]

Ill try that.

I was wondring if one of those heat guns would work.

Where do you check the temp?

Bottom radiator hose?

 

[ryoken]

thermostat housing... we live by em in the marine biz...

 

[SC-Texas]

Stupid question . . . . what is the thermostat housing?

Any pics of what it should look like?

 

[BKinzey]

Follow the upper radiator hose towards the engine. When it turns into metal, that's it

You should buy a repair manual. Any repair manual for your vehicle and read it. It will help you out a lot