2001 temp gauge: how should look with 160t-stat

**Teeeman** · 08-25-2009, 05:24 PM

2001 owners...

... running a 160thermostat...

... what did your temp gauge read with the stock 'stat, and what does it read with a 160stat installed?

(thanks!)

-T

(mine moved but just a tiny bit... not near as much as it should have if the gauge is displaying accurate temp readings... feedback from friends says the gauges are not virtual to temp, but almost "dummy" in nature... )

**pajeff02** · 08-25-2009, 06:30 PM

I can't speak for a 160 thermostat -- but after installing a 180 degree thermostat in our '02, the stock gauge really did not move. It still reads about 200-205 all the time after the car is warmed up.

However, on a scanner the temps dropped considerably and the engine now runs from 184 to 192 depending upon engine load, AC, and outside temp. This is with the fans reprogrammed for the lower temp thermostat. Your stock temp gauge is an approximation at best. Check it with a scanner to see your real temps.

**Teeeman** · 08-26-2009, 05:28 AM

I gotta get me a data logger but my wife will kill me if I blow $600 right now.

-T

**pajeff02** · 08-26-2009, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by Teeeman

I gotta get me a data logger but my wife will kill me if I blow $600 right now.

-T

Anyone with a scanner -- your mechanic, a friend, Autozone, etc... can at least give you an idea of your temps. Before I bought my scanner, I used a laser temp gun that I picked up for about $50. Works great reading the temp off the thermostat housing, hoses and heads. Did you have your fans reprogrammed for the cooler thermostat?

**SSTODD** · 08-26-2009, 07:54 AM

My 2000 gauge only stopped a hair short of the stock stat. after my 160 install, but the data logger showed the running temp. of about 177 so i know it works.
The 160's will not run at 160 for this design so 175-180 is about all you get with the 160 anyway. You are fine

**Teeeman** · 08-27-2009, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Anyone with a scanner -- your mechanic, a friend, Autozone, etc... can at least give you an idea of your temps. Before I bought my scanner, I used a laser temp gun that I picked up for about $50. Works great reading the temp off the thermostat housing, hoses and heads. Did you have your fans reprogrammed for the cooler thermostat?

Yes, PCMFORLESS tune is in (did tune and stat Saturday together).

I expected the op temp to be higher than the stat rating, that is pretty normal... thanks for giving me numbers and a way to check...

-T

**Hi-Po** · 08-27-2009, 04:11 PM

1999 yr model and up used only one sender. While 98's had two. One going to the PCM and one going to the guage. That guage you are looking at in your 2001 is nothing more then a dummy... Hot, Cold, Over heat guage. Nothing more. EIther buy a good full sweep gauge like some of us, or buy a god scanning tool (HPT). Or, buy both and really go in the hole