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temp gauge on vn

holden123

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Hi, need some help with my temp gauge. I just put a new radiator in (natrad) new water pump, new intake manifold gasket's , new thermostat, 2 new temp sender on the intake manifold. Now the temp gauge in the car read's 1/2, but before I did all this the temp gauge read 1/4, is this the right temp? Or is it too high? The thermo fan come's on at 3/4 and cool's it back down to 1/2. Was told today you can run a colder thermostat, can anyone inform to weather this is true or not...:bang:
 

88GreenVN

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Is the car getting hot tho? Can you squeeze the hoses?

It may just be a dodgy thermostat, blocked water jacket, or that the gauge is now reading correct.

The gauge can be tested using a multi meter - but how I'm not sure
 

holden123

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can squeeze the hoses, also replace the temp gauge as that's what i thought it was. sorry not sure what you mean about water jackets. spoke to a guy at auto pro today he said the temp is fine. And the car should run 1/2 way. I'm so confused
 

HoldenOnn

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Temp gauge is exactly that....its a gauge. Can you tell me what temp the water is at 1/4 gauge reading and what temp the water is at half? It may only be a few degrees different if that. Only way to find out is to get into the computer via holden and check what the coolant temp is at when reading halfway. I think you will be surprised to find that between half and a quarter there is barely a couple of degrees.
 

holden123

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thanks for that it make some sense now. was told you can get two thermostat one runs 15c cooler thanks for your help
 

88GreenVN

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The gauge is adjustable too - has a slider adjustment at the back of the gauge.

Have you tried the old gauge back in the car?
 

HoldenOnn

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Don't get a cooler thermostat. No need whatsoever. I have a 500hp VL Berlina Turbo which sees street duties with air con and it has standard thermostat. I just sold my VS S Pack SII V6 Commodore and that had standard thermostat.

With a fully serviced cooling system, there is no need to stray away from the stock standard genuine thermostat. After I serviced the VS and complete cooling system, the gauge occassionally played up and went to 3/4 mark. My best mate at the auto electricians put the hand held computer on it and even when the gauge rose to 3/4 mark, it wasn't in any danger of getting too hot.....exact figures are unknown as it was 3 years ago when we did it. The car went perfectly and no overheating for 3 years of owning it.
 

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and i was just going to ask the simple quesiton of did u bleed the cooling system and have the heater on while doing it..?
 

holden123

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yep bleed the cooling system i might run a over ride switch on the thermo fan. found a post on here do you think it's a good idea?
 

HoldenOnn

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There is no way that anyone would be able to switch a fan on perfectly at the correct time everytime the gauge rises......unless you are stationary and you recline your seat back a little and you get some popcorn and a drink and you are sitting in your driveway staring constantly at the temp gauge :)

Go to an auto electrician or holden dealership and get the tech 2 hand piece on the car and let them tell you the water temp when the gauge is reading 3/4.
 
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