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YOUR RESEARCHHelp with unresponsive temp gauge
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fault
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Suspected cause · Original poster
This leads me to believe that my engine coolant temp gauge is likely the fault, but doesn't explain why the HVAC digital readout is incorrect.
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Suggestion
From page 24-11 of the Bentley manual, method to test the sensor.
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Suggestion · Original poster
I was interested to see whether this was a gauge issue or a coolant temp sensor issue, so I found that I could use the HVAC controls in the e.6 position to get a digital readout of my coolant temp.
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Suggestion · Original poster
I was interested to see whether this was a gauge issue or a coolant temp sensor issue, so I found that I could use the HVAC controls in the e.6 position to get a digital readout of my coolant temp.
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Good day everyone. Today I start on the long list of things to be done on the 996 I inherited. So my engine (coolant) temp gauge does not work at all. It is pinned on the all the way cold reading and does not move. The red light near redline is not lit up and I have no CEL or other fault indicators (my BlueDriver OBD II reading tool is currently on it�s way to my house, so this is all I�ve got to go off of). I was interested to see whether this was a gauge issue or a coolant temp sensor issue, so I found that I could use the HVAC controls in the e.6 position to get a digital readout of my coolant temp. I let the car warm up and took it for a 10 min spirited drive and the digital readout never got higher than 45C or 113 degrees F. Clearly this is not correct (ambient temp here in Orange County, CA is about 75 degrees). I�m thinking this means my coolant temp sensor is bad. Before I go taking the air box off and dumping all my coolant and replacing this sensor, can someone smarter than me provide guidance as to whether this sounds right or whether I am wrong. Has anyone encountered this issue?
Thanks!!
I would agree, the ECTS is likely bad, but I would also verify via ODBII, because on my 99, the AC hack is just as I accurate as the dash gauge.
The other possibility is a bad thermostat or failed water pump, so let�s hope it�s not that.
"I let the car warm up and took it for a 10 min spirited drive".......
Not to change the subject and i'm not sure how much info you have read about the pitfalls of the M96 engine but its not recommended to start the car and just let it warm up before driving off. Start it, drive away, stay under 3k rpm until up to operating temp, and then have fun. If i misinterpreted your procedure i apologize. Hope you get the temp gauge issue figured out soon.
Fair point, I didn't mean spirited as in wide open throttle, I was in the neighborhood and didn't exceed 40 mph the whole time. Your point and guidance is well taken. Tough to see when the car is up to temp when the gauge is broken though!
So I got the OBD II reader and app set up. No codes whatsoever. I turned on logging for the engine coolant temp and it seems to pull data just fine assuming the OBD port is getting it from the ECTS. On a normal startup and 10 min drive the engine temp graph increased roughly linearly to a stable operating temp between 189F and 194F. This leads me to believe that my engine coolant temp gauge is likely the fault, but doesn't explain why the HVAC digital readout is incorrect. Do you know if the HVAC digital readout would come from a different source than the OBD port? I should add to your point about water pump or other issues that the car drives completely normally. Thanks mike
Rodent chewed my temp sender wires just at the sensor. I had no temp reading and I had a Warning light blaring at me. Just putting this out as a data point for you
The temp sensor used in 996 cars are a "dual NTC" meaning there is literally two sensors built into one body (4 wires). One sensor is for the DME/engine controls and one sensor is for the cluster gauge/HVAC, so you could have a bad sensor or wiring, and the other be working totally fine.
Hope this helps you in the diag..
had a water pump go, replaced with no problems other than now my dash gauge never leaves 100� yet �live data� show proper temps. Quite the coincidence that my gauge would go along with a water pump!
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