Factory Temp Gauge

[ZZCruzr]

Since I bought my car, I have noticed that my temperature gauge never displays anything but completely cold, or - after being run awhile, a hair under the middle marker. This is in different stop and go conditions, different outside temperatures, and different driving syles from candy to get-it-on. Since I am so damm paranoid about the engine temperature that the turbo generates, I've been watching this gauge forever. Last week, the wife and I took vacation and ran to the beach. It is an easy drive that we take every year. On the way, I ran at the speed limit, 70 MPH, and at various speeds up to 100 MPH. The car was incredible, behaving at 100 just like at 70. Problem is that little old gauge! NEVER did it move above the "hair below middle" mark. It didn't go up, it didn't go down. I ran at sustained speeds of 80-90, with no change at all. Now I'm no genuis here, but I gotta believe that the temperature had to vary. I eventually want to get a gauge pod together with accurate gauges, but in the interim would like to be reasonably assured that the engine isn't about to self-destruct!
Anybody have feedback on the factory gauge? Thanks.

[DTs_PTGT]

My car actually overheated last weekend. I was in slow stop and go traffic, when my overheat light went on (along with multiple chimes) and my temp. gauge was in the red zone just below the 'H'. For some reason my radiator fan didn't come on.

I shut off the car, then read in the manual (on page 192) that I should park the car and let it idle until it cooled off (the radiator fluid was boiling fiercely at this time). After reading the manual, I restarted the car, and the fan came on immediately and cooled the water down to where the temp. gauge was right in the middle within a minute or so.

The radiator fan not coming on has me worried. I haven't been able to reproduce the issue so I'm hoping it was a one-time fluke. I checked for error codes but there were none (even more worrisome to me).

In the meantime, can anyone tell me what type of anti-freeze to use to refill my cooling system? I know a bunch boiled off while it was overheating and I need to top it off. I know I'm supposed to use a 50-50 mixture of anti-freeze with distilled water but again I don't know what type to use.

Any help would be appreciated.

[bobs turbo pt]

the anti freeze is the red type chrysler uses

[Timeless]

quote:Originally posted by DTs_PTGT

For some reason my radiator fan didn't come on.

The radiator fan not coming on has me worried.

DTs
I had the same problem intermitantly,
Took it in for service and the tech found out that the ground wire for the fan was [u]never connected</u>. It would make contact when ever it felt like it and vice-a-versa. Once he secured it the problem has never returned..
Maybe the same person in Mexico that wired my car worked on yours also[:0][:I]

[DTs_PTGT]

Timeless,

Thanks for the info, I'll have to look into it!

[Gear_Head]

ZZ, I put in a mechanical temp gauge for just that reason. When my mechanical water temp reads 190 or when it reads 240, the electrical gauge is still in the middle (a hair below center). Not very accurate. The water temp (Autometer) is the middle gauge on the dash. Also the oil pressure and volt meter is on the dash also. The EGT and Boost gauges are on the column. I like to KNOW whats goin on with the engine. I am seriously considering a Trans temp gauge too. But where the hell do I put it?? I guess i could go with the Pillar pod (dont much care for them) but the gauges are only 2 1/16 inches in diameter rather than the 2 5/8 diameter gauges that I have now.

[?] Alan

[DTs_PTGT]

Sweet gauge setup, Gear Head.

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of console mounts did you use? Did you drill through the dashboard, or use some kind of sticky tape?

[ZZCruzr]

Gear_Head - Thanks for the response to my question , rather than a bit about antifreeze! I didn't want to spend a day at the dealership, loosing wages, only to find out the gauge checks out "okay". I remember seeing your gauges on another thread and thought they looked cool. You confirmed what I suspected...the factory gauge isn't much better than an idiot light! (When it shows a problem, it is too dammed late!) I guess I've been putting off the addition of gauges because it will mean making a decision on boost control versus Stage 1, or both. The next series of mods will mean I'll at least need the EGT and Boost gauges and if I add the water temp gauge, that will fill a three pod column with no room for any other monitors. I would like the gauges to match the GT's...meaning not only the face, but the orange indicator needle. I haven't seen any that match exactly, including the MOPAR one's - which are pricey as hell.
Thanks again for the reply.

[RossCoe]

Give Redline Oil's "WaterWetter" a look - under 10 bucks.

[CraigO]

This gauge behavior (never changing) is purposely built in by the manufacturer. This is an interestingthing eh? (its a fact) - if you want details, e-mail me...

Craig
'03 Dream