90 Accord Lx
the temperature gauge always goes to the red and stays there permanently when it's running and even when not warmed up. I flushed the radiator, replaced the thermostat and replaced coolant temperature sensor and it still does it. I dont think it is overheating obviously so I'm wondering if this can be a short or something in the instrument panel? or is there another sensor somewhere that can be causing this to happen?

 

If everything you did is correct, the gauge assembly may have a problem.

Make sure you change the right sensor. Under the distributor, there are two ECT sensors. The one in back is the ECT sensor for ECU. The one in front is the ECT Gauge Sending Unit. In front of the Gauge Sendiing Unit and Loacate in the water outlet housing is the ECT switch A. You should test and/or change the Guage Sending Unit.

 

to add to ^ ..the gauge sending unit will be the single wire connection, Red wire.


If you have an ohm meter you can test it;
one lead to ground the other lead to the sensor terminal
cold engine 140 ohms
engine warmed up fully 30-50 ohms.

if the wire is grounded somewhere it will cause the gauge to go high.

 

all the sensors are good because I've replaced all of them....one thing I notice is that the radiator hoses are very squishy when the car is running which leads me to believe there is something wrong the the coolant flow to/from the engine......so could this be the water pump?...because the car has failed due to hi nox emissions which is high combustion temps.....egr ports have all been cleaned out so it has to be the water pump....any thoughts?