Well my temp gauge doesnt work anymore and was wondering what i need to change.

While on my way home after about 80 miles the gauge went from 1/2 way to cold. then for the rest of the trip (40 more miles) went from cold to1/4 then back to cold several times and maybe to 1/2 like once. all the temperature changes where slow except for the first time it went to cold what could it be?

will check radiator in the morning , its still hot. no sign off leaks and still has some water in the resevoir.

thanks for any help.

 

Check and see that the connector for the temp gauge is not loose on the head. It is a single wire connector that attaches to a metal prong coming off the head. It's located on the distributor side of the head to the right of the coolant hose there.

I've seen these wires get brittle and break.

Check this pic (it's too large to display here):

http://www.1993-honda-civic.com/imag...erhead_03a.jpg

That prong is what I'm talking about.

 

ok will check that. thanks. water in radiator was good this morning.

 

so what happens if the wire is good? but the gauge still doesnt work, how can i test it to see if the sensor is bad?

 

When the engine is hot, disconnect the connector from the 1-wire coolant temperature sending unit mentioned by Destructo. Now ground the wire to the engine while a buddy turns the key to ON(II). If the dash temperature needle rises, then the sending unit is bad and needs to be replaced. Don't let the needle rise to max hot or you may damage the dash temperature gauge.

 

so i just simply take the wire out, and ground it to say the valve cover? ill give that a try

 

Yes