Hi, I almost finished all my work on the engine but the light "HOT" lights up after 5 minutes and lights up more and more. The temperature sender is new. I plugged my Autometer gauge and the temperature remains stable at 150-160 degrees (I changed water pump, thermostat, hoses and the radiator was repaired). I read on the forum that the light came on at 246 degrees. I have not read any story about someone who bought a too sensitive temp sender. Do you think that the problem comes from my instrumentation? Has someone already had this problem ? My old sender was not connected to the instrumentation but a wire that is not going anywhere so I think the previous owner already had a problem and could have installed an Autometer type gauge. Thanks,
Electric sensors can be bad out of the box. If you have a gauge correctly installed, I would go by that. It could even be the wrong sender. Try a different one.
Make sure you did not get a electric fan (or other switch triggered component) temp switch. Some of these close at low temps from about 150F and several other ratings up to 190F.
When you say it lights up more and more, do you mean that it gets brighter and brighter? Is it possible that you have a gauge sender instead of an idiot light sender?
Hi guys, that's right ! I replaced my old sender by the same... but working on the car this afternoon, i found that.... So my car certainly had a 3 gauge kit that was removed before I bought it! I'm going to sell my Autometer 3 mechanical gauge kit and install an electric one. I hate these specific cables too short. I prefer basic electric cables for a cleaner installation. Thank you everybody
Yes that's right. It was brighter and brighter. I have never seen a "hot" idiot light before. With the right sender, it is not progressive? The idiot light is displayed directly at high intensity?
Warning light - idiot light- will be either on or off & is operated by the temperature switch on the intake. At time of START, the wiring harness will illuminate it as a self test. Once key is returned to ON, the light will go out. The temperature sending unit will progressively send more voltage to the temp gauge, however, it will not self test. Minor differences in the steering column harness prevents this. I've seen a few cars where the Owner was claiming "all original" factory installed gauges. Turn the key & watch the gauge spike with 12V is a dead give away the Owner is misleading someone. Easy to change but most will miss it.
Thanks for all the details! I understand why we name it "idiot light". Its really too late when it lights.
