Fook_me_honda

So i was having a previous problem earlier last week with my temp gauge moving up and down when i was at a full stop, so i replaced the thermostat and flushed the radiator fluid.

But now the temp gauge will read really low, just barely above the lowest line. Even after an hour of driving its still the same.

There isn't any excess heat in the engine bay either and the car runs fine.

So i was wondering if anyone knew what could be going on? i thought it was the sensor in the thermostat housing but i was reading around and i believe that its connected to the ecu and not the gauge itself..??

The car is a 92 civic cx all stock.

thanks in advance

300whpej

im assuming its pretty cold in oregon right now right? i had the same issue with my d15 after replacing the thermostat with one from autozone for like $7. i was told that if i bought an oem one the issue would go away and get to normal operating temp without hesitation

Fook_me_honda

does anyone know if thats true? its starting to act up again. everything is running fine still, but now it'll fluctuate somewhat, and the temp gauge is still reading really low.

Fook_me_honda

no one has a clue?

hannslebo

bleed the cooling system??

dpetro1

the sensor that controls the gauge cluster is a 1-wire sensor under the distributor. check to make sure the wire isnt loose or broken. it could be giving a false reading. if you are conifident that your coolant temp is actually that low then you need to check to make sure the thermostat isnt stuck open.

Fook_me_honda

im sure the temp isn't that low, the radiator hoses feel hot to the touch. and will the sensor connected to the thermostat housing affect the gauge itself?

dpetro1

no that is the fan control. as stated above, the gauge is controlled by a one wire sensor under the dizzy

Fook_me_honda

ok so i checked the sensor, and it was it. the sensor was loose, and when i pulled it out the outer black shell was cracked, and it wouldn't plug up and sit tight. so my next question is:

-If i splice the wire and just crimp on a new end to plug into the sensor will it affect the gauge? is it a specific female end piece or can i just run to an auto parts store and buy a new female end?

-Second, will having the wire loose like that affect the cars performance or normal engine operation in any way? Is the wire just for the gauge itself?

-And third, if i do fail to fix it, can i install an aftermarket water temp gauge? And just leave the gauge dead?

dpetro1

1. red butt connector worked for me, strip wire a bit and crimp it into one end and the other end plugged onto the sensor perfectly.

2. that wire only controls the gauge, it does not effect performance in any way

3. you can fix this in 30 seconds, no need to buy anything aftermarket.