Making The R32 Water Temperature Gauge Useful

[BunsenBurna]

Before modifying the gauge, while bench testing the sender and dashboard temp gauge, it begins moving from C when the engine temp is at 45 degrees, hits the middle at 60 degrees, stays in the middle until 110 degrees and reaches the H marker at 130 degrees.

This is very stressful, a gauge that reaches the middle at 60 degrees and doesn't move again until after 100 degrees. I am certainly not capable of modifying the gauge and whilst I will install an aftermarket computer at some point, until then, how does everyone else with stock gauges monitor their water temp? I mean, are there any other signs to look for or preventative measures to take? Scary!

[Kinkstaah]

1) Look at gauge

2) If gauge is anywhere but in the middle where it should be, correct problem ASAP

[bubba]

I use Datascan on my CarPC.

/thread

[BunsenBurna]

I use Datascan on my CarPC.

/thread

Bubba is there a specific thread you are referring to here? Didn't come up for me...

[bubba]

/thread means end thread

Have a look through the Audio/Alarm section or whatever it's called, a few of us posted up our carpc setups. Basically it's a VoomPCII box from mini-box.com, 7" in dash screen and a consult cable permanently plugged in, Datascan loads on startup so I always have extra gauges and diagnostics.

[Sarumatix]

What is my water temp?

Plug Consult cable in, 80 degrees C, great.

Drive around on various days and under various levels of load.

Rinse and repeat.

85 dollar cable (ECUTalk) free software.

[BunsenBurna]

What is my water temp?

Plug Consult cable in, 80 degrees C, great.

Drive around on various days and under various levels of load.

Rinse and repeat.

85 dollar cable (ECUTalk) free software.

OK I read this and I'd like to say I'm understanding everything but being honest, I'm not!

From where do I get this $85 cable? And then, is it a simple matter of plugging it in to a laptop and running ECUTalk?

Thanks in advance

Edit: OK did a bit of deciphering and I think I've found exactly what you are referring to Sarumatix - thank you! What laptop specs do you run yours on?

Edited February 15, 2011 by BunsenBurna

[bubba]

www.plmsdevelopments.com.au

[BunsenBurna]

www.plmsdevelopments.com.au

Bubba thanks for this link...seems you get the opportunity to make some changes via the plmsdevelopments product rather than just monitoring. Is that correct?

$85 is the right budget for me at the moment (having cleaned myself out for the car). But if this plms thing is hugely beneficial, I'll go with it.

[bubba]

$85 is for the cable

I think a license for Datascan is about $40, whereas ECUTalk is free (not a fan of it).

With Datascan you can make some minor changes for that session (resets when you turn the car off) for diagnostics purposes. I use it to force my water temp to 70deg so that my VCT works (long story).

[BunsenBurna]

$85 is for the cable

I think a license for Datascan is about $40, whereas ECUTalk is free (not a fan of it).

With Datascan you can make some minor changes for that session (resets when you turn the car off) for diagnostics purposes. I use it to force my water temp to 70deg so that my VCT works (long story).

Thanks for your guidance on this one bubba. I've just ordered the consult cable and will have a go with ECUtalk at first. Cheers!

[ohno1]

im using a ECUTalk consult box thingo, so i can see a digital readout, but still that's a pretty awesome idea

its always bothered me that i can see the temp change 15 degrees without the needle moving, didnt realise there was a normalisation circuit