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Temp gage normal position

IISPEEDYII

Well-Known Member
Messages
478
Location
Pennsylvania
So I just got my engine thermometer replaced it was stuck half open so my car basically was always running cold. What's the normal position for the temp needle on the h3? Before I got it replaced it stayed in between half way and the 1/4 mark. Now with the new thermometer it goes a little bit above half and when I run the a/c it goes in between half and almost to the 3/4 mark. Basically I wanna know what's normal for running with the a/c and without the a/c on.


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Best4x4

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,042
Location
Vidor, TX
If you got the newer 190 thermostat replacement you'll never have that P0128 fault for the engine not warming up properly lol, but your overall temps are going to be higher. I went from 186-196 with my OEM Thermostat range to 198-215 with the newer one (215 in sitting in extreme traffic). On the road with the HVAC cruising at 70-80MPH it runs 204-206F.
 

persius1

Well-Known Member
Messages
103
Location
Phoenix, AZ
I replaced mine earlier this year as well and I'm running hotter, especially now in this summer heat. On a positive note though, I also replaced the radiator and am getting over 16.5mpg! Even with running the ac.
 

Best4x4

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,042
Location
Vidor, TX
They upped the temp from 180 to 190 for emission reasons. I don't care about that, but it sure would be nice if we could recalibrate the darn gauge! 1/2 to 3/4 has made several passengers think we're about to blow lol...
 

IISPEEDYII

Well-Known Member
Messages
478
Location
Pennsylvania
Thanks everyone! That's exactly what I wanted to know, I was worried today when I saw it shoot up to near 3/4 with it being close to 90 out.


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Best4x4

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,042
Location
Vidor, TX
Once that gauge goes past half it's VERY sensitive... Normally half is 198-200, then after that midway between 1/2 and 3/4 is 200-215 and 3/4 and above 220-237 (I know this from my $$$ PCM Efan experience...).
 

IISPEEDYII

Well-Known Member
Messages
478
Location
Pennsylvania
Once that gauge goes past half it's VERY sensitive... Normally half is 198-200, then after that midway between 1/2 and 3/4 is 200-215 and 3/4 and above 220-237 (I know this from my $$$ PCM Efan experience...).

So its safe to say as long as I don't go above 3/4 Im alright. And yeah I can tell, I was only doing light driving today and it was bouncing between 1/2 and midway to 3/4 the entire drive.
 

rsc

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,087
Location
Tulsa
I believe the engine temps have to go over 240 before the system cuts off the a/c to help stay cool. My guage reads about the same as Best4x4's- 198 at 1/2, 225 at 3/4.
 

Peep

Well-Known Member
Messages
417
Location
Belize
It's 102F and 80% humidity <------------ nasty

i just drove to town on a dusty bumpy road with the a/c on max.

The temp gauge stayed in the middle the whole time, even when I went fast.
 

IISPEEDYII

Well-Known Member
Messages
478
Location
Pennsylvania
It's 102F and 80% humidity <------------ nasty

i just drove to town on a dusty bumpy road with the a/c on max.

The temp gauge stayed in the middle the whole time, even when I went fast.

Hahaha I don't have that luxury. I'd probably be pinged over half for sure.


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rollerlocked

Well-Known Member
Messages
60
Location
Wendell, NC
I was wondering the same thing so I did some experiments.

Test 1
needle gauges reads a little under 3/8 , my Actron scanner reads 176 degrees, mirror temp read 60 degrees ambient outside temp, AIT 63 degrees...



Test 2
needle gauge reads a little less that 5/8 , my Actron scanner reads 199 degrees, mirror temp reads 92 degrees ambient outside temp , AIT 131 degrees...



In NC the summers are hot and humid and if I run my A/C in traffic my vehicle sits around the 5/8 mark on the needle gauge , if im moving down the highway at 55 with A/C on Temp needle gauge sits at the 1/2 mark or cooler. I thought something was wrong clutch fan , thermostat , needs more coolant , clogged radiator, etc. but I was proved wrong considering what my scanner is stating and everyone else is having similar results.
 

IISPEEDYII

Well-Known Member
Messages
478
Location
Pennsylvania
I was wondering the same thing so I did some experiments.

Test 1
needle gauges reads a little under 3/8 , my Actron scanner reads 176 degrees, mirror temp read 60 degrees ambient outside temp, AIT 63 degrees...



Test 2
needle gauge reads a little less that 5/8 , my Actron scanner reads 199 degrees, mirror temp reads 92 degrees ambient outside temp , AIT 131 degrees...



In NC the summers are hot and humid and if I run my A/C in traffic my vehicle sits around the 5/8 mark on the needle gauge , if im moving down the highway at 55 with A/C on Temp needle gauge sits at the 1/2 mark or cooler. I thought something was wrong clutch fan , thermostat , needs more coolant , clogged radiator, etc. but I was proved wrong considering what my scanner is stating and everyone else is having similar results.

Yeah thats how mine used to sit, always at the 3/8 unless I had the A/C running and it was hot out. Then I got it replaced and it sits at 1/2 to 5/8 for normal
 
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