Overheating, ugh gauge was bad

[mike leborgne]

My 1987 924S temp gauge has been reading hot for some time. Replaced the radiator, thermo-switch, thermostat, fan relays ,hoses and sensor; and temp gauge still hit hot after a few minutes of driving. Finally used a infrared gun to measure the coolant temperature in the upper and lower hoses, both read perfect. Then pulled my temp gauge, UGH: Shortsville. Send the gauge to a shop in Hollywood, CA for a rebuild and it just came back. Went for a long mountain drive and yes, the gauge is reading right in the middle. Finally one more quirk corrected.
Take care
Frenchy

[Gawernator]

Nice... it was the gauge all along

[mike leborgne]

Everyone, I forgot to post a couple things I noticed that indicate a faulty temp gauge:
* The gauge would waiver when I turned on my turn indicators
* Sometimes the gauge would sit at mid-temperature and then just jump to red in a few seconds
* Some days I could see the gauge actually go from cold to hot within just a few minutes of staring the car.
Also checked with our speedometer and gauge experts in Denver, they said the gauge could not be rebuilt, fixed or calibrated. Its pays to check with other locations.
Hopes this helps others.
Frenchy

[ChrisRL]

Frenchy, hello!
Care to pass me a message with the name of that shop? I think I might be having similar if not identical issues.
Thanks!
Chris

[monomoy4]

Originally Posted by mike leborgne

Finally used a infrared gun to measure the coolant temperature in the upper and lower hoses, both read perfect.
Frenchy

What were your upper/lower hoses reading at? I've been having overheating issues with mine as well and have been seeing 200+ on the upper.

[mike leborgne]

Everyone, after running car for approx. 15 minutes, lower hose from the radiator was showing about 147 degrees F and the upper hose was showing about 185 degrees F. Hope this helps.
Frenchy