where is the coolant temp gauge supposed to read?

[zwoobah]

mine only goes up about 1/4 of the way, which seems low. my heat is also only lukewarm, although I've read that this could be due to a missing vacuum line to the mixer flap (my truck is missing a few of the lines off the vac manifold).
the previous owner claims that the t-stat was replaced, but there's a new one sitting in the glovebox. should the gauge be reading higher, or is the lousy heat just a vacuum line problem? thanks!

 

[supernac]

I just replaced my T-stat, and temp sensor, mine reads just above the N.

 

[Willard]

if you have a cold t-stat it would read low...mine is like a 180 and it reads around the N

 

[BrooklynBay]

The proper temperature is around 195.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto, test the coolant to find out what the temperature really is. 195 is just about an ideal running reading. Good luck,

 

[Robert Morton II]

The tstat should be a 196 degree only. Double check to make sure that is what is there before going any furthe.

 

[mikeinri]

Yes, just to clarify, the stock t-stat is 195. There are other temp ratings available, some folks prefer to run cooler and it may have been switched to a lower temp rating before you bought it.

My 94 has a 195 t-stat, and it reads N (or a little under) after warming up.

Mike

 

[zwoobah]

What do you guys mean by "reads around the N"? I have a '91, there are no markings on the temp gauge aside from L/H at the ends, and the thermometer logo in the middle.

 

[Tony H]

"N" as in the word NORMAL.

If you run a 180 T-Stat it will trigger a cool run condition and the computer will run the car a bit richer.

My '91 reads at teh "N" as well.

 

[zwoobah]

hmm, mine doesn't have NORMAL anywhere on the gauge. I will check the T-stat anyway when I get a chance.

 

[Robert Morton II]

That is strange if you have a L and an H. The stock dash for a 91 has a C on the left a H on the right and Normal across the middle.

 

[zwoobah]

it might be C and H instead of L/H, I'm not sure. I'm positive that there's no "NORMAL" though, just a little coolant thermometer logo. maybe the Navajo's have a slightly different cluster?
I'll snap a pic when I get home tonight

 

[Robert Morton II]

Gotcha. Just wondering if you have pulled out the stat yet to see if one is there or what temp? Good Luck and I hope you get it resolved.

 

[mikeinri]

An easy way to know if you have no thermostat (or one that's stuck open) is to start the engine when it's cold, and watch the gauge as the engine gets to normal running temperature.

If the gauge rises about 1/3 of the way up, then drops before rising again, that drop is the t-stat opening.

If the gauge just rises slowly and doesn't drop at all while warming up, your t-stat is stuck or not installed.

Mike

 

[zwoobah]

Robert - haven't had a chance to pull the t-stat yet. I've been spending all my daylight hours after work repairing rust on the front fenders. The lighting in my garage is wired with 1940s vintage cloth-wrapped wire...so the lights are disconnected due to fire risk. Rewiring it is on the long list of projects....
Hopefully I'll get to the t-stat this weekend. I'll update this post with whatever I find.

Mike - thanks, I will pay closer attention to the temp gauge next time I drive it. It hasn't been on the road for a couple weeks due to the bodywork I've been doing.