Temperature Gauge: Description and Operation

The engine coolant temperature indication system is a magnetic-type indicating system, which consists of:
- Engine coolant temperature gauge (located in instrument cluster).
- Water temperature indicator sender unit (located in intake manifold).
- LOW COOLANT warning indicator (located in instrument cluster).
- Circuitry.

Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge

CAUTION: Do not remove gauge pointers, they cannot be recalibrated.

The engine coolant temperature gauge operates in the following manner:
- The water temperature indicator sender unit changes resistance according to the temperature of the engine coolant, which varies the current flow through the engine coolant temperature gauge.
- The gauge pointer position varies proportionately to the current flow.
- Resistance is high when the engine coolant temperature is low, and low when the engine coolant temperature is high.
- The pointer of the magnetic engine coolant temperature gauge remains in position when ignition switch is turned to the OFF position.
- Pointer will move to the correct indication whenever the ignition switch is turned back to RUN position.
- Pointer may indicate at the top of the normal band with the engine coolant temperature within specification, under certain driving conditions such as heavy traffic or stop-and-go driving in hot weather.