2CarPros - Car Questions & Answers

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Repair Question


Topics covered: Cooling fan, Engine, Fuse.
Mileage: 225,000 miles.

Asked on August 14, 2012

My temp gauge isn't working properly

I've tried replacing a coolant temp sensor but it still isn't working, i only get a reading within the first quarter on my gauge but hardly anything higher than that. any ideas?
Avatar Asked by tjsk8boardz

Answer

Replied on August 14, 2012

-Test the thermostat-start here and then let me know

Tiny Answered by rasmataz
68 questions asked
Replied on August 14, 2012

already replaced that too, forgot to mention it earlier

Tiny Response from tjsk8boardz
3 questions asked
Replied on August 14, 2012

Check the CTS wiring back to the computer for open/short circuit

Tiny Answered by rasmataz
68 questions asked

Replied on August 14, 2012

ok now where is the computer located? how can i test it?

Tiny Response from tjsk8boardz
3 questions asked
Replied on August 14, 2012

and if theres no short or open circuit what else can you suggest?

Tiny Response from tjsk8boardz
3 questions asked
Replied on August 14, 2012

What liter engine ?

No short or open in the CTS circuit-could be the computer or the Cluster itself

Tiny Answered by rasmataz
68 questions asked

Replied on August 14, 2012

Its the z24, 2.4l twin cam engine. I have a new connector plug for the themp sensor incase if the needed to be replaced but I haven't gotten around to changing it yet and I wanted some advice before I went and did it anyway

Tiny Response from tjsk8boardz
3 questions asked
Replied on August 16, 2012

i completely forgot to mention that my car has a manual override switch for the rad cooling fan, i guess the fan wasn't turning on by itself so someone put it in, now i was wondering if the way they wired it would affect the temp gauge? they bypassed
everything the way they wired it in, they ran a wire from the switch to a random relay outside of the fuse box, then from that relay to the fuse box and from there they wired it to the cooling fan relay and fuse. which i don't think makes any sense at all, but would that have an affect on my problem?

Tiny Response from tjsk8boardz
3 questions asked
Replied on August 16, 2012

Check if the cooling fan is turning the right way

Tiny Answered by rasmataz
68 questions asked
Replied on August 16, 2012

Ok, is it supposed to turn clockwise or counter clockwise looking in the engine compartment?

Tiny Response from tjsk8boardz
3 questions asked