Temperature Gauge Stoped Working Now have SES Light...

[Blazzin Joe]

Guys, on the way back from the CCB my temp gauge took a nose dive and wont register any readings. Shortly after that my SES light came on....

I pulled over and checked fluids and what not and it all seemed okay. I noticed that if i turned the car off for a second and then back on, the gauge would move up a little bit but then fall back to the zero (or no reading)... Any ideas on this one?? I dont want to have to take it to the dealer... I briefly checked all the fuses and they didnt seem burnt out or anything... Pweeeease help [img]smile.gif[/img]

[strange_trp]

check ect sensor.
test resistance and compare to chart in haynes.
check for 5 vdc ref from pcm across 2 leads going to ect sensor.
check voltage drop of ect sensor ground wire. should be less than 100 mv dc.

if all this is okay and you don't have scan tool, suggest dealer for possible circuit malfunction between pcm and gauge cluster.

[Blazzin Joe]

Forgive my ignorance, but where is the ECT sensor? I also dont have a Haynes manual :( ... what year book can i buy and use to find out the location, and pcm information? I would really like to resolve this without a trip to the dealer where im going to be w/o my baby... I want to run her again this friday and saturday at Lonestar [img]smile.gif[/img] ... please advise [img]smile.gif[/img] thanks!

[Red2K1]

Had the same problem when running the 160 thermostat. Put in a 180, problem solved.

The only way I have found to run a 160 thermostat year round in a 2001/02 Camaro is to reprogram the PCM with Hypertech's HPP3. If you find a different solution, let us know.

[strange_trp]

i would suggest purchasing haynes book or similar if you intend on doing much home diagnosis. the one for 93-00 should be sufficient for yours.

<<move to general tech???>>

[ May 12, 2002: Message edited by: strange_trp ]</p>

[Blazzin Joe]

I will try putting in the old t-stat and see if that does anything for me? I will keep ya updated.

[Blazzin Joe]

I love you guys, ya'll rock [img]smile.gif[/img]

Beers on me :D , putting the stock t-stat back in solved the problem. I guess im going to go get a 180 until Hypertech does something nice for us and makes a fuggin programmer [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Only4U]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> The only way I have found to run a 160 thermostat year round in a 2001/02 Camaro is to reprogram the PCM with Hypertech's HPP3. If you find a different solution, let us know.

<hr></blockquote>

i think this one might should be moved to the tech database; lol, it seems i've been requesting a lot of topics to go to the tech archive lately, but i know a lot of 01/02 owners don't understand it when their SES light pops on after installing the thermo; this will help them out. just a thought though.

[Dominic]

Yep, a 180degree stat is the lowest the 2002 PCMs can handle - DAMNIT... I hate GM. I wish I had my 2000 again :(

I posted about this a while back :mad:

[strobhen]

I don't think the 20 degree difference in thermostats you can run is going to make that much of a difference.

Basically the PCM thinks its getting BS readings from the sensor (temp is too low), so it turns it off & turns on the SES light.

[Dominic]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by strobhen:
I don't think the 20 degree difference in thermostats you can run is going to make that much of a difference.

Basically the PCM thinks its getting BS readings from the sensor (temp is too low), so it turns it off & turns on the SES light.<hr></blockquote>

On a 2002 it does. And it doesnt kick the SES on and off... it kicks the SES on, and throws the fans on high thinking its about to overheat (which really just cools it off to 160 :D ). I personally dont like running my fans on HIGH 24/7, so I went back to a 180 so it would quit that horrible mess.

If anyone knows where I can find a 2000 PCM for a M5 V6 let me know, I want to buy one!

[Silver3800V6FBodyKY]

I'd have kept the 160 Therm. in it. I put one in too, and about every 3 weeks a SES light comes on for about 4 days. I also loose water temp. pressure. It just decides sometimes that it wants to turn on the SES light, and it does. It doesn't harm the engine though.

[Blazzin Joe]

Throwing codes isnt cool though. The PCM stores the codes it throws and if you have to take it in for service they get to see all the nice failures that have happened.

I honestly think that if we watch the voltage on the signal wire that we will be able to fix the problem by adding a resistor or a capacitor of some value. I might try it this weekend and see if i can notice any kind of voltage change that occurs.

[Dominic]

If it would be possible for us to send a signal that reads 20°F higher than actual, (160 looks like 180) that would be trully optimal. The fans would kickon at 190 actual, and the car would function normally!

I know where the sensor is, but I have no idea what the voltage range is of the thermistor just yet...