85 C10 Fan help

[80BrownK10]

I''m not disputing the fact that you could have a sender (or gauge) that is inaccurate but you will not get the proper reading from the metal like the method you are using.

It's sitting in a pan of water . If the pot is resting on metal of the truck it should simulate being installed in the engine , right?

 

[Joshua Keith]

I''m not disputing the fact that you could have a sender (or gauge) that is inaccurate but you will not get the proper reading from the metal like the method you are using.

How come it wouldn’t work? The gauge is grounded to the frame via alligator clips.

 

[Snoots]

The sensor (middle part) cannot touch the pan or your readings will not be correct. You would be reading the temp of the metal and not the fluid.

 

[87_stepper]

Those sensors are all resistance based probably a wax pellet type and are spanned to be accurate within a certain range having a bad ground will move that reading, example good ground 0-100 bad ground 30-130 move your alligator clips to the battery ground and try again.

 

[Joshua Keith]

The sensor (middle part) cannot touch the pan or your readings will not be correct. You would be reading the temp of the metal and not the fluid.

The sensor is not touching the pan. It is suspended by the channel locks to be about 2 inches about the pan. Good looking out tho! I’m sure there is still something I could be doing better

 

[Snoots]

Oops! My bad. I was reading and didn't go back to post #13 and 6.

Another thing is that I believe that there is a shunt resistor across the temp gauge terminals. @chengny can confirm this.
If that opened it may cause your readings to be higher than what they really are.

 

[F-64]

Kinda sucks because you have to drain some coolant. Run to autozone and grab a mechanical coolant gauge. About $20. Take the electrical sender out and replace it with the mechanical. I think I also needed an adaptor to space the sensor out a bit. It hit the block when i threaded it inside.This way you'll be able to verify the coolant temp inexpensively. Just be careful with the line connecting the sensing bulb and the gauge. You don't want to break that line or twist it. It has to remain sealed. I run a mechanical gauge permamently. You can switch back to electrical when you verify the cooling system is ok.