Toyota 80 series temperature gauge

Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 17:48
ThreadID: 97826 Views:7773 Replies:7 FollowUps:4
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Hi All,
I read somewhere that the standard temperature gauge on the 80 series can be made more sensitive to engine temperature changes. Mine sits at half way all the time even when the motor is under load. I would like it to actually show when the engine is getting too hot. Has anyone got info on the mod to the in dash gauge?
Thanks, Ian
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Reply By: Rockape - Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 18:25

Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 18:25
Mate,
best thing you can do if you are worried about temp is to put in and aftermarket gauge with an alarm like a murphy gauge + put in a low water alarm.

RA.
AnswerID: 494239

Reply By: get outmore - Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 18:28

Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 18:28
you will know when its getting warm the air con will cut out
AnswerID: 494240

Follow Up By: fisho64 - Thursday, Sep 06, 2012 at 20:35

Thursday, Sep 06, 2012 at 20:35
I know what your saying is correct but he'd be a fool to wait for the aircon to cutout to let him know if his engine is overheating.
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Reply By: Trev6 - Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 19:19

Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 19:19
The in dash gauge I can't help you with Ian but mine is like yours it boiled a couple of times in Tassie and the guage was only reading half way up.

I installed a "watch dog"gauge and mounted it on the lower part of the dash under the ash tray that way the led lights don't bother me at night. It looked an easier way to do this than pull the dash out to fix the old gauge.
AnswerID: 494247

Follow Up By: Whirlwinder - Thursday, Sep 06, 2012 at 20:32

Thursday, Sep 06, 2012 at 20:32
Thanks for the replies, all of which made sense so I bought a "Watchdog" unit which I will fit ASAP as we are going to WA towing the Kimberley. Good advice well received.
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Reply By: aboutfivebucks (Pilbara) - Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 19:20

Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 19:20
ive been using engine watchdog alarms for a few years now.
they look pretty ordinary - but make plenty of noise when the car is getting hot.

cheap piece of mind.
AnswerID: 494248

Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 20:31

Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 20:31
I will second the Watchdog alarm. You will be stunned at the variations in temperature while the standard 80 series gauge stays stuck on 1/2 way.

They are also easy to instal, even for a technical gelding such as I am.

Jack

The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll-Alice In Wonderland)

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Follow Up By: fisho64 - Thursday, Sep 06, 2012 at 21:08

Thursday, Sep 06, 2012 at 21:08
I found the Engine Guardian to be a much better, easier shape to mount. Its not shaped like a square box.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SIMPLE-WIRING-ENGINE-WATCHDOG-GUARDIAN-COOLANT-TEMP-SENSOR-GAUGE-ALARM-EG3-/180963887758?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2249ca8e
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Reply By: Hairs & Fysh - Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 19:59

Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 19:59
G'day Ian,
Either install something like an Engine Saver low coolant alarm, which also has a temp sender, I've installed one, it's a good bit of kit. Or you can install a EGT, if yours is a turbo diesel. This is on my list of bits to get.

Sorry can't help you with the mod for the gauge.

AnswerID: 494254

Reply By: pop2jocem - Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 21:15

Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 21:15
Hi Ian,

Maybe try lcool forum, free to join and a heap of tech info. I think you are right there is a mod to get a better reading.
Having said that I would second what Rockape has posted, fit a good quality after market gauge and level alarm and give the original the flick.

Cheers
Pop
AnswerID: 494261

Reply By: Lex M - Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 22:00

Tuesday, Sep 04, 2012 at 22:00
Google is your friend- try this :-

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/64252-93-97-coolant-temperature-gauge-modification.html
AnswerID: 494267

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