Once again this is with my sohc zc swap into dx wagovan... this is the last bug I have left to work out.

Before the swap, my temp gauge worked perfect, but now it will stay pegged at the bottom until full operating temperature... at which point it will go up just a *tiny* little bit.

I've tested the sensor with a meter and it checks out, I've also tested the lead and connection and everything seems fine.

What else could I try? I really don't think its my gauge, beings it worked fine before the swap.

 

I also noticed today that the engine felt and smelled like it was running really hot. The fan never did kick on.

Are the fan relay sensor and temp gauge sensor linked or route through each other at all?

 

Fan and gauge are not on the same circuit.

Have you tried jumping the fan switch to make sure it's working?
Very common for those to not be hooked up or fail and then the fan doesn't turn on.

Not having water will also cause this.

 

Definitely check the coolant level in the radiator and reservoir. Also bleed the cooling system.

If you ground the wire in the temp sending unit plug, does the needle in the temp gauge rise toward hot?