1991 accord. My temperature gauge stopped working. i repalced the sensor and that did not help. i tested the wires to the sensor and no power with key on. i went to napa and they suggested a mechanical sensor but i couldnt install it because all the adaptors were standard thread not metric. i dont want to take the dash apart but does anyone know of a externally mounted gauge that would work? thanks,

 

A few comments.

First, the wire going to the temp sender does not have power, it is a "ground". The sender varies the ground resistance making the gauge go up. The lower the resistance the higher the temp needle goes up. This is the single wire sender on the end of the head, under the dist.

For a test you can ground the wire straight to the head - turn the key to on and see if the needle moves towards HOT. Warning, turn the key off before the temp gets all the way to hot, leaving it "pegged" will kill the gauge.

Next the sender for the temp gauge is 1/8 "pipe" thread not metric.

If the gauge in the dash is bad, you could pick one up from a bone yard.

If you want a mechanical gauge - there is a 14mm block drain bolt on the back side of the engine, if memory serves me, it should be to the pass side of the oil filter. Someone with a 4th gen can correct me. And yes you will need to buy an adapter to fit the 5/8 sender to the 14mm drian bolt - you can find these almost anywhere.

 

thanks, that is a big help. one thing when i unplug the wires to the sensor it seems there are 2 of them so should i test both of them as you suggest?

also since napa wont take the gauge back where can i find the adaptor. napa says there dont have and i checked ace hardware and they dont, is it described as a 5/8 female standard thread to 14mm male adaptor?

could i install in to the fan sender location sense i have the fan hotwired?

 

could be a issue with the thermostat in the engine/ cooling hose

 

Lol, the thermostat won't cause a temperature gauge to not work.

 

sometimes cheap t-stats wont open at temp. might be affecting this car. make sure to buy oem t-stats no aftermarket brands

 

That would not have anything to do with the gauge not working.

 

can anyone tell me where i can buy the 5/8 to 14mm adaptor? i cant find it on line or locally.

 

sorry there is also a coolant temp sensor that plugs directly into the radiator near the bottom
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/temperature-gauge-problem-91-accord-2727528/
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par..._384752_18589_

 

Wrong. It is not in the radiator.

Just give it up.

 

ok i give up

 

"dejay"- the adapter can be found at almost any parts store, I did a qiuck online search and napa, autozone and carquest all showed one.

 

What Lost Again said. Sometimes the 'dorman cart' or brass section can be behind the counter. Make sure to speak with someone knowledgeable about the store/store stock.

tech8 if the thermostat is stuck open, and depending on weather, the gauge may not show any temp changes.
I'm here in Sunny/Warm NorCal, when the thermostat jammed open on my '95 unless I was stopped in heavy traffic only then did the gauge begin to move. Once traffic started moving again the temp would drop back down to C.

Also have a CB1 in EIRE, thermo jammed open on last year, temp gauge does not move one iota. Park it up against the wall in the garage and let it idle and it will begin to move, otherwise nope.

 

Mad Mike,

A stuck thermostat would not make the gauge not work (e.g. not move at all, etc.).