Resolved Aftermarket temp gauge is showing false high readings.

[Brian O Conner]

As soon as I start the car the aftermarket autometer gauge will start showing temperature readings that are anywhere from 50 to 70 degrees hotter than what the car is actually at. I used my temperature laser gun to check the whole car and the gauge will be anywhere from 50 to 70 degrees hotter than what the car actually is. I changed the sending unit and that didnt make a difference. I even bought a replacement autometer gauge and that didnt even fix the problem. So I then thought it was the wiring. I ended up making jumping wires from the old gauge to a ground, a 12 volt terminal and a wire to the temp sending unit and it still showed the same 50 to 70 degree off readings. I am running out of ideas and the only possibility I have is that this autometer 100-250 degree water temo gauge isn't compatible with this car but I have no idea. Has anybody heard of a scenerio like this before? I did check the temp laser gun on another car to make sure it wasnt off and its on point. The car would be running at around 180-195 on the temp laser gun but gauge shows around 250. Any theories and ideas would help.

 

[Brian O Conner]

This post was solved found out by autometer you have to use there sending unit. Which makes me wonder why the guy I purchased this car from still was using the oem temp sending unit. Car is fixed.

 

[steve]

That's pretty much the case for all aftermarket gauges, not something specific to Autometer.

 

[Brian O Conner]

That's pretty much the case for all aftermarket gauges, not something specific to Autometer.

Its just odd though because when I bought this thing back in 2010 the guy had the stock sending unit. Which I did buy this car in pieces but it shows you dont take things for granted I guess still weird though.