I have a 93 Prelude Si as a project car. I have been having issues with the temp guage and between me and my mechanic we have determined that the guage is acting up. I have put in a new thermistat and sending unit along with new hoses and a complete fush. The fans work as they are suppose to and I have had laser temp readings showing around 190 with the fans coming on around 210. So as far as we can tell it is the guage. My question is where can I get a replacement? My local junk yard doesn't have any. Also is there anything else I can check? I presume the analog to digital converter is part of the guage and that is what is going out.

Any help will really be appreciated.

r100rs

 

That gauge isn't really "digital" it just has a simple circuit that decides what range "bar" the signal is in and lights up.

Anyways, this is a common issue with preludes, I urge you to check your grounds first before you spend any more money. There is no "good" place to find these, maybe you can catch someone with a part out going on.

edit: just to be clear, the bold is for finding a new gauge cluster


Modified by mgags7 at 6:48 PM 11/10/2007

 

Yes sir, don't start buying extra stuff just yet, it just sounds like a ground issue. Check and clean all the grounds in the engine bay and then move the other wiring grounds inside the car.

 

i think i can vouch 1st hand...check your grounds!

 

Just to let you folks know, the thermistat did go bad and I had a radiator rupture so I went ahead and replaced all of them. About 2 weeks later the gauge starting acting up, I was hoping it was the sensor but it wasn't . I only had to pay for the sensor, not charged for labor.

Thanks for the info, I realize that there can be a multitude of grounds and I doubt I could find them all. Any ones in particular?

Thanks for your help.

r100rs

 

Since you had the thermostat changed, I would be especially sure to check the ecu ground there, it is connected on one of the 10mm bolts on the t-stat housing, also check the valve cover to mount to chassis ground and the battery negative to chassis and transmission. An ohmmeter would be a big help here.

 

Mine's been acting up as well, except my heat is never hot anymore and my temp gauge doesn't move. So while trying a new thermostat, I'll check all the grounds too.

 

I just recently fixed this same problem with temp gauge acting up. I replaced thermostat and sensors as well no luck.....then I noticed that when the temp gauge would act up that the two ground wires, going to the starter and chassis from the battery negative, were getting warm. So I replaced the grounds and problem is gone. grounds.

 

Not sure where all of those components are located but I'll remove and clean all the ground wires I can find. I also have had a minor problem with my headlights going out for about 2 seconds and then they come back on. I think they are related as it occured last night at the same time as the guage was reading high and when the lights came back on, the guage jumped back to the center position and has been there every since. I drive about 140 miles a day for work.


Change of subject - other than a junk yard where can I go to get parts. I need the panel that covers the pw/pl/doorhandle on passenger side. The one I have is missing a big piece. Also looking for the rubber strips and one metal strip that go on each side of the roof.

Thanks for info - hopefully I'll get that temp guage cleared this week.

r100rs

 

Yeah, you have a ground problem somewhere....

You can get most anything from eBay, they even have a bunch of junkyards that sell stuff on there. Also check the Prelude For Sale thread as there's lots of people parting out their cars.

 

Just to add:

The ground wires getting warm indicates excess resistance, so replacement is the best option. Pre-made ground cables are cheap at your local auto parts store.

 

mine is acting up too but its reading real cool like one or two bars light up could that also be the grounds?

 

I don't think so, though anything is possible.

Remember it is getting very cold now, my car sometimes takes a good amount of driving to reach the normal temp level.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mgags7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't think so, though anything is possible.

Remember it is getting very cold now, my car sometimes takes a good amount of driving to reach the normal temp level.</TD></TR></TABLE>

this was in the summer time thought i only drove the car a few times since then i been doing alot of work too it but im going to check the grounds anyway

 

Well, the first thing I found was a really corroded battery cable (neg side) with a loose connection, so went and replaced it. I'm thinking this was the problem. As now when I start the car, it starts immediately, were as before it took a few cranks like the battery was going out. At least it fixed that. Also my temp guage seems more responsive. Will drive for a week or so then Ill know if I have to do more "ground" work.

Thanks to everyones advice.

r100rs