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does such a thing exist? I've found loads of guages, sensors, monitors with alarms that cost well over $100... all I want is something that bolts onto the exterior of the engine and feeds a guage (digital or analog... don't care)

I'd like to find something like this to monitor the engine temp since the coolant sensor can't seem to communicate with the gauge in the dash. And until I can ring out the wires and troubleshoot the ECM, I won't know what else to fix. It would be a nice add-on anyhow since coolant sensors don't help if you bust a hose.

EEps · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject:

What part of the engine do you want to monitor? Exhaust Gas? Block? Coolant? Air temp?

How big? Wink Smile

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:42 pm Post subject:

block... temp gauge should be able to go from 100ºF to 240ºF

a digital with actual temp up to 250 would be nice... but that may be asking too much.

how big what?... engine? (chevy 305 V Cool

Gauge? (no bigger than 3 inches in diameter for a round gauge or 5"x2" for digital... ya know... something small that can be tucked under/over the dash without being obnoxious.

Guide Dog Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 8423 Location: MN

I'd just hook up a cheap multi-meter with a temperature sensor on it... until you get the wiring figured out.

EEps · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:06 pm Post subject:

Even cheaper than that...an oven probe fer $17... Big Smile

* Easy-to-read LCD display
* Automatic time / temperature alarm adjustable from 32F to 392F
* Durable silicone-coated probe with 4' cord
* Folds down for compact storage
* Model# 3518

Shipping Weight (in pounds):

0.27
Product in Inches (L x W x H):

4.75 x 1.1 x 9.0

You might have to mod that one to run off the car battery... Wink Smile

EEps · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject:

There's also this 5 function meter that has both internal and external temps, clock, stopwatch/lap counter, voltage, and ice warning. Measures 11/16" x 1" x 5 1/2". About $30 shipped... Wink Smile

Not sure how high the temp reading is fer the external temp probe. Still trying to find out. Blush Smile

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject:

How about a VDO cylinder head temp sender and guage, like VW aircooled cars use? The sender slips around the threaded end of a spark plug, like a washer. The guage is a simple 2" temperature guage. May not be appropriate due to the differences of aircooled vs liquid cooled engines.

-or-

A VDO oil temperature guage, reads the temp of the oil, which can be used as a pretty good indicator of overall engine temps.

Both available from Jegs

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject:

I'm gonna go with the oven probe and LED Backlight it... or frontlight it if it's too cramped inside that case.

EEps · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject:

Wooohoo!! I win! Wink Smile

Guide Dog Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 8423 Location: MN

Slymer wrote:
I'm gonna go with the oven probe and LED Backlight it... or frontlight it if it's too cramped inside that case.

It'll come in handy later when your trying to get the steak you tossed on the manifold just right.

Leg Humper Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 5997

Old fashioned scrap yard?

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 6:28 am Post subject:

foxinhand wrote:
Old fashioned scrap yard?

still don't know what the problem is exactly... this is just an interim fix for monitoring the engine.

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 4:34 pm Post subject:

anglachel wrote:
I'd just hook up a cheap multi-meter with a temperature sensor on it... until you get the wiring figured out.

Better yet why not just use the multimeter to check the sensor and or the wiring? gonna spend time to install the gauge why not just take a minute or two with some basic checks?

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 4:57 pm Post subject:

considering all options... the wires check ok (just did that actually)

the sensor is new cause the old one was busted (plastic broke from old age)

I do need a new connector (the clip is brokt)

I tested the temp sensor... reads 240ohm at about 180 degrees... but I have no clue what it's supposed to read since I can't find any data on SU12 type sensor.

EDIT: just found a chart...

Code: Select all

GM Temperature Sensor Resistance





Degrees F    Degrees C    Ohms





-40º           -40       100,700


  0º           -18        25,000


 20º            -7        13,500


 40º             4         7,500


 70º            21         3,400


100º            38         1,800


160º            71           450


210º            99           185

so I guess my sensor is ok. the wires are ok... I've jammed the connector back onto the sensor and it's staying for now... which means that the problem is the ECM... dammit! friggen $80 part there.

so it looks like I'll get the oven probe anyhow.

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:28 am Post subject:

update:

fixed the gauges. turned out to be a open circuit in the sensor wire. dunno where, don't really care. ran another wire to replace the stock one. tightened up all the connectors in the instrument cluster and everything is working well. Now to decide what to do with the meat probe.