[Stillrunns]

Hello, new guy posting, original owner of a '89 22re manual p/u 2x4 w/180k miles. Have water temp. gauge issue spiking towards high range close to the red zone on turns, going down a loop ramp, and sometimes when the vehicle just started. And then it would go back down to a normal range. It is erratic at times then goes back to normal. No physical overheating from engine compartment, coolant and oil are within limits.

In the past, already changed the thermostat x2, radiator, radiator cap, fan clutch.
I also reset the plug on the water temp gauge sender (sensor on the EFI manifold attached to engine block). Anyone have this kind of problem before?

 

[jetwhine]

Stillruns,

My guess at this point is a gauge going bad.

 

[kamesama980]

bad gauge or wiring. sensor failures are usually more consistent.

 

[Grego 92]

Did this start happening after you did a drain/fill of the coolant? or just started doing it all of a sudden.

 

[kamesama980]

BTW I just noticed you said you messed with the plug on the sensor on the manifold....that one doesn't go to the gauge. the sensor for the gauge on the 22r is in the center of the intake side of the top of the head sort of in a notch of the valve cover. the cold start injector is sort of pointing right at it

 

[Stillrunns]

Here's the latest. My 89 22re p/u truck died on me at Auto Zone. Before it died I was still having erratic water temp. gauge needle spikes. The new issue was either the battery, starter, or alternator (truck would not start), just a click and that was it.

So I decided to have the battery charged at A.Z., the worker said my battery was bad. Had new battery replaced, but that failed too.

Due to the constraint of time, my last resort was to have my truck towed to my auto-mechanic. Next day the starter was replaced and told the mechanic had an issue with cooling temperature. He looked into it and said the sensor for the water temp. gauge had a film of corrosion on it and he cleaned it off.

That sensor was located on top of the engine that kamesama980 pointed out. I think he was right on the money.

Well, for now the truck is running good with the gauge needle steady quarter to the left at normal temp. with no repeat gripes. Sounds like my mechanic fixed it, but set me back a couple hundreds.

Thanks for your responses you guys.