[Zfreeman]

Hey, I'm new here. Although I have been browsing this forum for a few months. I've done a few searches for this but couldn't find any info.

Basically I have a 91 Camry A/t, and my temp gauge goes straight to hot when I switch on the ignition, and doesn't budge from there. I have replaced the gauge with a good one but no fix. If I plug out the sensor that goes into the t-stat and turn on the ignition, the rad fan comes on, so I'm thinking the sensor is working.

No problems at all with the cooling system, after about 10-15 minutes of operation, the fan comes on, does it's job and then turns off. I just need a working gauge, so if something goes wrong, I will know.

IMO it has to be an electrical problem, either the wiring or the relay, if there is one? One thing that might point to it being the relay relates to when the gauge stopped working. As most Camry owners know, these cars run very quite @ idle and what I think might have happened is, when my mechanic was working on the car he left the car running for a couple of hours, not realisisng it was on and blew the relay for the temp gauge.

What I need to know is where the relay is for the temp gauge or what symbol would denote a relay on a wiring diagram?
Thanks
Z

 

[88 LE]

If I plug out the sensor that goes into the t-stat and turn on the ignition, the rad fan comes on, so I'm thinking the sensor is working.

The sensor on the thermostat housing is a a/c water temp switch (for radiator fan).

Sensor for the temp guage is somewhere else (see pic below).

What I need to know is where the relay is for the temp gauge or what symbol would denote a relay on a wiring diagram?

There is no relay for the temp guage.

The sensor ties directly to the guage on the instrument cluster.

Wiring diagrams from a factory (Toyota) electrical manual.

http://www.pierreluxury.com/pics/toyota/guages/

 

[epborden]

Your parts are almost as greasy as mine are 88.

By the way, when are you going to fix that thing.

 

[Zfreeman]

I thought I read on here somewhere or in a haynes that this was the temp gauge sensor, see pic

go here

 

[88 LE]

^ Nope.

Take a look at the electrical wiring routing diagram below:

http://www.pierreluxury.com/pics/toyota/electrical wiring routing.jpg

13 = a/c water temp switch (on thermostat housing)

63 = water temp sender (goes to guage on instrument cluster)

 

[Zfreeman]

Thanks for that valuable info 88LE. It seems someone over @ C-Man's passing lane is in for a hiding, thinking the sensor in tstat was the wtr temp sndr,



Could you have a look at this image and tell me if the sensor is the one I've illustrated, image isn't of the best quality, sorry!

http://www.houseofbards.com/camry.htm

Thanks also for the routing diagram, that'll be a really useful diagram for diagnosis. You're lucky to have a factory manual(s).

 

[88 LE]

Thanks for that valuable info 88LE.

No prob.

Could you have a look at this image and tell me if the sensor is the one I've illustrated, image isn't of the best quality, sorry!

http://www.houseofbards.com/camry.htm

Yup, thats the right sensor (the one in the 2nd picture).

Its the only sensor on the bottom of the water neck and it has a single wire with a blue plug.

Thanks also for the routing diagram, that'll be a really useful diagram for diagnosis. You're lucky to have a factory manual(s).

You can buy factory manuals from Toyota or try looking on eBay.

Toyota Service Publications
750 West Victoria St.
Compton, CA 90220-5538

1(800) 622-2033

Theres a bunch of manuals, but you only need 2 of them. Engine and electrical.

Call them and tell them what your looking for. They'll give you a price and part #.


P.S. The electrical manual for my car (88 Camry I4 (3S-FE)) was about $25. Engine manual is about $80.

 

[Zfreeman]

Yup, thats the right sensor (the one in the 2nd picture) Its the only sensor on the bottom of the water neck and it has a single wire with a blue plug.

Perfect, it's the exact same on mine. I noticed it was covered in oil and gunk. Hopefully when I clean it tomorrow it will start working again, or if not I might take it off my 88 camry, I'll update you then.

You can buy factory manuals from Toyota or try looking on eBay.

I found them here aswell, 1988 Electrical manual for $42, although for some reason the 1991 Elec manual is only $27. Would there be much information in the body/chassis manual?

 

[Zfreeman]

Okay time for an update.
I cleaned off the connector @ the bottom of the water temp sndr and at first I didn't notice anything, but when I was driving home from work I noticed it had moved to half way between Hot & Cold, when I looked again when I got home it was down at Cold, and it's stayed there since.. .never did that before.The problem is definitely the sender or wiring.

Today, I tried to remove the sender, tried a 12, seemed to slip, then got the loan of an 11, and that wouldn't fit, what gives, do I need a special tool or something. I want to try and swap the sender from my 88. but I don't want to damage anything. Any ideas?

 

[Zfreeman]

Okay, found another 12 wrench and it fitted the sender perfectly, got the sender off along with a ton of coolant , used a rag to stop it coming out. Did the same on my 88 camry and swapped the senders. Fired up the car and 10 minutes later the gauge is working perfectly.

The sender I took out of my 91 camry was all dented at the top where it enters the water neck, I can only conclude it was damaged at some point and this is why my gauge stopped working.

Not having a working temp gauge was so annoying for so long, I'm delighted it's working again. Thank so much 88LE, I couldn't have fixed it without your help