Is my car overheating or is it a false reading from temp gauge?

1997 HONDA ACCORD
277 MILES
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JAY ACCORD
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97 Accord 4cyl -I replaced the distributor because of an oil leak on my Accord- After removing dist, I noticed that both temp sensors that sit right underneath dist had been damaged by the leak. The coolant temp sensor was dangling and broke off. The other is temp gauge sending unit, different style and only connector was beat up. I cleaned it and seems OK. I did have to replace broken one. Since then, now temp gauge needle moves up or down according to speed I’m driving. Goes up to about 75% when driving on freeway to about normal 25% when driving in slower traffic. Needle moves fast one way or the other when changing speeds. Coolant is OK in radiator and reservoir. No leaks, oil or coolant. Upper radiator hose feels hot to indicate thermostat is functioning ok? Another problem I've had for a long time but gotten worse (even before sensor problem), fan stays on for 10-15 minutes after turning engine off. Could this be related? When I found and replaced the broken sensor I thought I had found that answer but little did I know that I would end up with more problems. Maybe this new problem was always there but because of broken sensor I never knew it? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.
May 18, 2012 at 12:36 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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you have wiring issue with both sensors. the lower hose is the hose you check for the thermostat being opened.

the coolant sensor wiring may be the reason for the fans being on.

the gauge may be wiring as well but i would get it checked to confirm.

Roy
May 18, 2012 at 12:56 AM
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JAY ACCORD
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Thank you Roy for the fast reply! Do you suppose that the wiring got damaged by that oil leak? The gauge as I said, always read normal before this and not crazy up and down like it is now. As far as the fan staying on after turning car off, I should rephrase that and say that it COMES on after turning car off and stays on for 10-15min. Repair manual says to check upper hose when testing for a thermostat stuck closed. That would prevent coolant from engine escaping to radiator.
May 18, 2012 at 1:22 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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yes, the wiring can be damages as oil will rot away the insulation allowing shorting.

the manual is wrong. the thermostat is in the lower hose, not the upper as most are.

roy
May 18, 2012 at 1:24 AM
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JAY ACCORD
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Thanks again. I will take a look this weekend and do some testing with those connectors/wires and give an update.

BTW- The upper hose does go from radiator to thermostat, which is located right in front of distributor. Regardless, both hoses are hot.
May 18, 2012 at 11:11 PM
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