Can someone tell me which sensor controls the temp gauge on a 1994 Accord 4L? In cold weather the gauge never goes up and the idle stays high even after hours of driving so something is wrong, and the motor does not know it warmed up. I get warm air out of the vents after a short period, but the idle never goes down, and temp gauge stays buried at cold. If I shut down for a few minutes when the engine is warm, when started the gauge starts working, but if I drive the gauge goes back down to dead cold and the idle thing starts again. A part # would be awesome! Also, where is this located?? Thanks...

PS: This only happens in the winter. Just flushed cooling system in fall and replaced all hoses when I rebuilt the AC. This has always done this in cold weather since I moved to the north from Florida.

 

To me it sounds more like a thermostat problem. Replace it with an OEM type.

"""If I shut down for a few minutes when the engine is warm, when started the gauge starts working, but if I drive the gauge goes back down to dead cold"""

That would mean the gauge works at least somewhat. Besides, as far as I know, the sensor for the gauge is separate from the one the ECU uses (TW sensor) to determine the operating temperature.

 

Thanks Perfectionist. The T-Stat is genuine Honda, and is working as expected, not opening until normal operating temp is achieved. Even with the gauge buried at dead cold, after warmup I still have heat. Thats why I think its a sensor thats telling the computer the car is still cold. Also, after I drive for say an hour to get to work. I'll pull into my parking spot and put the car in park and the guage us buried at dead cold, the idle is high and pulsing. Like somone is pushing gently on the gas and letting go repeatedly. I'm baffled, but if I can find the culprit its dead meat as its tormented me now for 5 winters!

PS: Gauge worked perfectly in summer. Although it was always low even on really steaming hot days. In early summer the cooling fans would not shut off and I took it to the dealer and they replaced the cooling fan relay. The temp gauge worked good after that for about 5 or 6 months, registering above 1/4 to almost 1/2 gauge in summer instead of barely getting to the 1/4 gauge mark, and now its back to the winter games.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hondaman56 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> the idle is high and pulsing. Like somone is pushing gently on the gas and letting go repeatedly.</TD></TR></TABLE>Make sure there isn't any air in the cooling system. If that's okay then go after the FITV.

 

Thanks Leftcorner. Cooling system has been checked several times and is fine. What and where is the FITV, and what exactly does this valve do? Sounds like a replacement for HDTV!

 

it might be the sensor that is in front of the engine pasanger side where thw hoze from the radiator goes to the engine. check that **** it might be it

 

Thanks again. I'll check that sensor out, and maybe replace the t-stat anyway just to be 100% sure. L8R.....

 

Well, I got into this finally and darn if that thermostat was not wide open. Genuine Honda too, humph! I put a new one in and she is good as new. No more ghosts pressing the gas on and off, and the temp gauge is happliy registering warm even on a freezing night during a drive. Wife will be thrilled. Thanks all...