Engine Temperature Gauge not working

[MalibuHacon]

Ribbedroof, when you say that the gauge scale is not linear, does that mean that 220 is not operating temp? Because most cars that I am used to will be at operating temp when the gauge needle is dead in the middle.

When I say operating temp i mean where temp usually settles, I don't know what that temp is, but i'm used to it being at the middle not off to either side.

That explains a lot

 

[Ribbedroof]

In my experience, these gauges usually run with the needle somewhere to the left of the 220 mark under normal conditions. How far varies on what thermostat is in the engine, and the overall condition of the cooling system.

You will notice that while the left side of the scale runs 100 to 220, the right side runs 220 to 260. Why GM chose to use this method is questionable, but I imagine that they were more concerned with better depiction of the reading on the high end of the scale, perhaps to lessen the chance of severe overheating

 

[MalibuHacon]

Okay i understand, you learn something everyday. My green wire looks just like the one you posted a pic of, I ended up just jamming a new wire into it and wrapping it over the sensor as you can see in my pic. Is the clip supposed to go sideways over the very end of the nipple?

I would test it, but i'm not outdoors right now, besides the green wire was not long enough, probably because it was fastened in the wrong side of the windshield washer reservoir. But then i'll know how to wrap it up tomorrow...

 

[Ribbedroof]

Is the clip supposed to go sideways over the very end of the nipple?

.

That is correct.

 

[MalibuHacon]

Thank you, I'll just move the wire under the windshield wiper reservoir then 🙂

 

[Ribbedroof]

You are welcome, that's what we're here for....to help one another

 

[RGBody87]

This helped me big time too! Thanks guys!