LS1 Based Engine Tech LS1 / LS6 / LS2 / LS3 / LS7 Engine Tech

How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-26-2005, 10:54 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
AronZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Chattanoga & Franklin
Posts: 1,276
How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

I have a 1999 Z28. The temp gauge is like an idiot light, it reads cold, then moves up to normal and won't move unless the engine tells it there is a catastrophe. I have heard that 1998 LS1's had a functional temp gauge.

How do I convert the gauge to be functional? Would it require the PCM to be reprogrammed? Would I change the coolant temperature sensor? Or would I have to change the gauge itself?
AronZ28 is offline  
Old 01-26-2005, 11:07 AM
  #2  
Registered User
 
stone4779's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Mission, TX
Posts: 567
Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

I'd like to know as well....

I'd be willing to do all of the above except change the pcm to get this thing usable...

I'd just like to be able to know when its at its coolest. Without having an extra gauge in a pod or something lol
stone4779 is offline  
Old 01-26-2005, 11:37 AM
  #3  
Registered User
 
MasterEvilAce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 755
Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

Ever thought that maybe the LS1 is so awesomely designed that it stays very level as far as temperature specs go?
MasterEvilAce is offline  
Old 01-26-2005, 11:56 AM
  #4  
Registered User
 
stone4779's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Mission, TX
Posts: 567
Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

Originally Posted by MasterEvilAce
Ever thought that maybe the LS1 is so awesomely designed that it stays very level as far as temperature specs go?
naw....I've driven a '98 and the gauge definately moves around...
stone4779 is offline  
Old 01-26-2005, 02:05 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
bunker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: North Vancouver, BC
Posts: 4,305
Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

I bet you anything you just have to change the temp sensor, its like the 95 Impala SS had an oil pressure guage that was like an idiot light but the 9c1 cop cars did not, the difference is only the sending unit, so I bet its the same.
bunker is offline  
Old 01-26-2005, 02:52 PM
  #6  
Registered User
 
shouldaboughtthez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NW Houston, Tx
Posts: 507
Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

so get a sending unit from like a 98 and see what happens?
shouldaboughtthez is offline  
Old 01-26-2005, 05:14 PM
  #7  
Registered User
 
SFB767's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: FL
Posts: 1,486
Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

I've heard that the reason the '99+ LS1s have the dummy gauge was because the '98 owners complained that it fluctuated WAY too much.
SFB767 is offline  
Old 01-26-2005, 09:12 PM
  #8  
Registered User
 
L8ER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 92
Cool Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

I took my car into the shop because it smelled hot, they told me the same thing. There was so many people getting excited because it moved so much. My temp said 210 but I was at 216. I also would like to know how to get it to read the correct temp, nice to know exactly what you are running.
L8ER is offline  
Old 01-27-2005, 12:31 AM
  #9  
Registered User
 
mebanditws6's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 623
Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

You'd have to program the PCM and get a sensor for a 98 car. The 98's have a dual circuit sensor that sends to the PCM but another one that sends directly to the guage. The later ones only have the circuit that sends to the PCM where it is basically turned into a dummy guage. I think with a PCM reprogram, you may be able to get the PCM to ignore the sensor readings and pass it directly to the guage.

Jason
mebanditws6 is offline  
Old 01-27-2005, 08:04 AM
  #10  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
AronZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Chattanoga & Franklin
Posts: 1,276
Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

Doesn't the PCM need to know what temp the coolant is at?
AronZ28 is offline  
Old 01-27-2005, 01:12 PM
  #11  
Registered User
 
mebanditws6's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 623
Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

Yeah, but I would think you could program it so that it won't desensitize the guage like it does now.

Jason
mebanditws6 is offline  
Old 01-27-2005, 01:35 PM
  #12  
Registered User
 
Mike94ZLT1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Livonia, Mi
Posts: 1,665
Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

I left it alone, and installed an autometer sender in an auxilary hole above the starter, and added a water temp gauge to the collection on my a-pillar.
Mike94ZLT1 is offline  
Old 01-28-2005, 04:58 PM
  #13  
Registered User
 
shouldaboughtthez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NW Houston, Tx
Posts: 507
Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

Originally Posted by Mike94ZLT1
I left it alone, and installed an autometer sender in an auxilary hole above the starter, and added a water temp gauge to the collection on my a-pillar.
And there is your second option.
shouldaboughtthez is offline  
Old 01-29-2005, 04:13 AM
  #14  
Registered User
 
94ZRiCeKiLr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 821
Re: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.

Originally Posted by Mike94ZLT1
I left it alone, and installed an autometer sender in an auxilary hole above the starter, and added a water temp gauge to the collection on my a-pillar.
this would have been my suggestion...
94ZRiCeKiLr is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DirtyDaveW
Forced Induction
13
12-01-2016 05:37 PM
dbusch22
Forced Induction
6
10-31-2016 11:09 AM
cmdeshon
LT1 Based Engine Tech
16
12-27-2014 10:06 AM
brentbrowning01
General 1967-2002 F-Body Tech
15
12-16-2014 06:35 AM
ro2207
LT1 Based Engine Tech
14
12-04-2014 06:18 PM



Quick Reply: How do you make the temp gauge functional on 99+ cars.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:57 PM.