Temp Guage change with new T-tat

**Intrepidman** · 06-21-2010, 05:44 AM

I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed something similar to what I'm experiencing. I had a 180 degree t-stat installed in my 02TA and my tuner was supposed to have adjusted the fan's turn on points to match, when I had the car tuned. BUT I see no difference at all in the temp guage readings.

Could it be that the guage is simply too inaccurate to measure a drop that small or is it more likely that my tuner forgot to make the changes to the fans and the car is still running at basically the same temps despite the slightly cooler T-stat.

**2001NBMZ28** · 06-21-2010, 06:36 AM

The 99 and up gauge isn't accurate, it reads a "range" once warmed up. My fans are set lower with a 160 and is the same way.

**SSTODD** · 06-21-2010, 07:25 AM

Same on my 2000 with a 160 stat, I used a scanner with live data to see the actual running temp. and how fast it rises at a stop light with no air flow.

**Cutlass** · 06-21-2010, 05:47 PM

Yep the temp gauge isn't really a gauge. It only reads cold, warm and WAY TOO HOT.

**pajeff02** · 06-21-2010, 06:09 PM

On a scanner, my car runs right around 185 most of the time with a 180 degree stat and reprogrammed fans. The dash gauge always reads 205.

**GatorSS** · 06-21-2010, 09:06 PM

Yes, sooner or later every owner finds out that the stock water temp 'gauge' isn't really a true gauge (except for '98). It's just a little bit better than an idiot light.

**NastySS** · 06-22-2010, 01:47 PM

Years ago, I bought an SLP Fan Control Switch (Plug and play) for my '01 SS. It has High, Low, and Stock operating positions. Whenever the weather is hot, I always have it running in the HIGH position (Both fans running fast). This keeps my temp guage in a very reasonable position at all times, especially when the A/C is running. Keeps pinging at bay too! Maybe see if SLP still has them? It is one of the best mods I ever did, combined with a 160 degree stat.

**RyanJM** · 06-22-2010, 06:52 PM

I have a 160stat in my 98 and reprogramed fans and checked it with my friends computer when we were tuning it and it's actually pretty accurate you may just need a new sensor.