84-85 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd gen pickups and 1st gen 4Runners with solid front axles

84 temp gauge reads half all the time

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 11, 2013 | 08:00 PM
  #1  
jlfenner's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
84 temp gauge reads half all the time

Here's the issue. Immediately after start up, temp gauge shoots to halfway and doesn't move. Doesn't appear to be a common issue since I can't seem to find any info on it. Anyway, the question I have is should I be looking into replacing the water temperature sender gauge or the water temp detect switch? Not too sure which one and the service manual isn't very specific on which one does what. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2013 | 02:02 AM
  #2  
brianh699's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Disconnect the sensor and ground it's wire, if the gauge deflects to full heat the gauge is working
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2013 | 04:01 AM
  #3  
ddv1126's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
In having a similar problem. So your talking about disconnecting the coolant temp sensor and grounding the wires that go to it?
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2013 | 09:39 AM
  #4  
brianh699's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Yes you can also do it on the back of the gauge
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2013 | 06:36 AM
  #5  
ojm3's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
File and clean all connections. If that doesn't work by a new temperature sending unit
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2013 | 07:26 AM
  #6  
ddv1126's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
I did the test and the guage went straight up, I'll buy a temp sender since its like 8 bucks. My problem is that on the highway it shoots straight to hot but as soon as I exit and pull over it goes back down. I don't think the engine could cool down that quickly. Also I shot it with a temp guage and it was at 190. If I chose an aftermarket guage would I inset that into the spot where the original sender is. Will there be a fitting available that is the same size?
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2013 | 08:10 AM
  #7  
ojm3's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
got my temperature sending unit from autozone and it dropped right in. Your experiencing the typical temp overshoot. Stock thermostat is one ninety i got one that's 160 or 180 can't remember lol.but i like mine to run cooler. I can sit at idle with the air conditioner on covered in mud and she barely gets halfway hot
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2013 | 11:25 AM
  #8  
ddv1126's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
Originally Posted by ojm3
got my temperature sending unit from autozone and it dropped right in. Your experiencing the typical temp overshoot. Stock thermostat is one ninety i got one that's 160 or 180 can't remember lol.but i like mine to run cooler. I can sit at idle with the air conditioner on covered in mud and she barely gets halfway hot
What brand? It came with everything?
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2013 | 01:33 PM
  #9  
ojm3's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
It screws into the top of the water jacket outlet. There are two units with wires connected at the top of thejacket. One is black plastic the other is brass. Replace the brass.
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2013 | 01:34 PM
  #10  
ojm3's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
The unit comes by itself just back the old one out, put the new one in and reconnect the plug
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2013 | 05:47 PM
  #11  
ddv1126's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
Originally Posted by ojm3
The unit comes by itself just back the old one out, put the new one in and reconnect the plug
Ok got one and put it in. I noticed the old one had Teflon, I heard that was a no no. The new one was slightly longer. When I tried to tighten it it would keep turning. It got snug but didn't come to a stop. Didn't want to strip the hole or mess the o ring up on the sensor, I drove around for a bit and didn't see any coolant leaking out. Temperature still went up though like previously
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2013 | 08:54 AM
  #12  
ojm3's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Did the guage level out?
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2013 | 09:52 AM
  #13  
ddv1126's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
Took it on highway today, it didn't hot red but leveled out after I exited, maybe a little above level. I'm wondering if I should get that two stage thermostat
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2013 | 06:21 AM
  #14  
ojm3's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Temperature overshoot. Flush your system also slap 160 thermostat in. Their in two bottles of water wetter and call it a day.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2013 | 07:00 AM
  #15  
ojm3's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Damn predictive text has me sounding uneducated lol
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
the1998sr5
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
6
Oct 19, 2016 12:48 PM
Vargntucson
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
0
Jul 4, 2015 12:15 PM
B. Graves
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
4
Jul 3, 2015 04:10 AM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:35 AM.