I am guessing the issue is with the gauge sensor but I am looking for validation. Today I looked down and the gauge was just two notches above cold while sitting idle. I would accelerate and the gauge would move up to 210 and drop down at idle. Went to pick up dinner and when I got back in and started up the temp jumped just above 210 and the fan kicked on (like it should I guess), then fell down again at idle. My guess of course is the sending unit is bad but with temps registering this cool can it effect the fan from kicking on or is that operated by something else. I cant do anything until Saturday with it and I want to make sure it does not hurt anything.

 

Maybe I should restate the question. Can a bad temp sending unit cause the fan not to kick on when hot if it is registering cold? Or is the fan operated by some other temp unit?

 

I suppose it could. Everything is controlled by the ECM/PCM and it relies on info received from sensors. Even the needles on the gauges are controlled by the ECM.

 

Thanks, I just hope it is the sensor that is causing the issue. I can imagine anything else would be the problem with the way it is acting.

 

I know it sounds stupidly obvious but....

did you check the antifreeze level in the radiator/reserve?

 

I have not. I checked it yesturday when i was checking the oil, but I will look first thing in the morning. Not shure that could cause cold temps at idle and warm in drive though.

 

Well I thought for the sake of searches I would post my resolution on this. It was easy, just a change in the temp sensor. For recap, my temp was dropping real low at idle and the jumping back to 210 while in drive. I went to parts store and purchased an $18 temp sensor, unscrewed the old one and pluged in the new one. Problem solved.

 

Do '01s look the same as '98s?

 

Yep they look the same.

 

the censor in the photo isn't the censor that controls the thermostat gauge. the thermostat gauge one is close to the rear of the engine. Atleast on my 93 thats where it is. Ill find a photo for you...

 

The way to check the censor it self, is you disconnect it. the plug that plugs in to the censor should only be one wire, ground that wire out and if your gauge goes all the way to maxed out, then the censor is bad.

 

censor is here

 

correct that censor controls the fan the little one in the back controls the dash gauge

 

I think on the 2000 and 2001 the one in the front controls both. there is only one. I change the one in the front and it fixed my gauge.

 

Same way with '98, only one sensor and it's in the front. FWIW, the ECU/PCM controls where the temp gauge needle is positioned based upon info received from the sensor.