EL CAMINO Temperature light

[Caballero 81]

What’s up guys I’m new to this sit I have a 81 el Camino the temperature light stays on after start up top hose is cold everything else is hot I’m guessing thermostats stuff...

 

[pontiacgp]

it is probably the sender is defective but you can test that with a multitester if the sender checks out then check the wiring to see if it is grounded anywhere if it is not then it could be a problem with the circuit board when did this problem start did you do any work on the car before this problem started if you did i would go back and check on the work to see if that caused the problem good luck......

 

[Caballero 81]

it is probably the sender is defective but you can test that with a multitester if the sender checks out then check the wiring to see if it is grounded anywhere if it is not then it could be a problem with the circuit board when did this problem start did you do any work on the car before this problem started if you did i would go back and check on the work to see if that caused the problem good luck......

Thermostat I’m assuming is the problem

 

[Caballero 81]

Thermostat I’m assuming is the problem

I believe it’s stuck closed top hose is cold ever other hose is hot

 

[Supercharged111]

If it's like most cars, the light comes on when you overheat the thing. I've never seen a car throw a temp light when it was warming up, which would be your case if the stat is stuck open.

 

[Caballero 81]

If it's like most cars, the light comes on when you overheat the thing. I've never seen a car throw a temp light when it was warming up, which would be your case if the stat is stuck open.

 

[5spdCab]

I think that he meant stuck closed. That would prevent coolant flow. If/when you change your thermostat, drill two little (1/16 or 3/32) holes in the outer flange so that a small amount of coolant will always flow. When reassembling, be certain to install right side up. If thermostat is upside down, it will not work properly, or not at all.

This is the top view of a thermostat, drill two holes in the flange similar to what is shown here. These holes shown are too large and there are too many of them, so use a small drill bit, and only drill two.