Temp' gauge not working (ea82/'L' series)

scoobiedoo · Post by **scoobiedoo** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:08 pm

Just picked up the 'L' and noticed that the temp' gauge moved only slightly and the majority of the time sits on cold.
Anyone know what the go is???

Thanks in advance

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:14 pm

so it actually does move
wt does it sit on

culd be a dodgy sender or culd be running without a thermostat

scoobiedoo · Post by **scoobiedoo** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:25 pm

Bout 2-3mm above the needle sometimes...Most of the time it sit on the very bottom as if it doesn't work.

theclick · Post by **theclick** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:29 pm

scoobiedoo wrote:Bout 2-3mm above the needle sometimes...Most of the time it sit on the very bottom as if it doesn't work.

Oposit to mine. Mine was sitting at 3/4 of the way up on the freeway, when that is when it should be running coldest. I'll trade you half my needle for half of yours and we can both get average temps

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:32 pm

check the wires going into the thermostat.

scoobiedoo · Post by **scoobiedoo** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:06 pm

Umm...Wheres the thermostat

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:33 pm

Thermostate is the part that the top radiator hose goes to on the engine, there will be a little sender unit on the side with one wire coming from it...

Get yourself a subaru L series workshop manual, gregories or haynes - they're the same company, and learn a little about your car from the manual. The manual isn't as in depth as i would like but it was enough for me to get some basics done and complete a rebuild on my MPFI.

A little bit of knowledge on your car can go a long way sometimes.

Cheers

Bennie

Post by **Alex** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:59 pm

+1 for the service manual. Has helped me many many times. From changing alternators, to doing wheel bearings.

alex

BENduro · Post by **BENduro** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:01 pm

Nice looking wagon you got there alex...Will be on the lookout for a manual and until then might have to get it checked out by someone in the know.

Newbietosuby · Post by **Newbietosuby** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:24 pm

I second that remark BENduro....That certainly is a nice ride Alex!!!
Q - What lift height have you got on that puppy?

Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the thermostat anyways, just so you know it's done and wont let you down later on.

Q- Is the Thermostat housing sacrificial like on Holden Red motors? Should he change that while he's under the hood doing the stat?

Word

daveosubi · Post by **daveosubi** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:21 pm

Id replace the thermostat, if the needle moves the temp sender is probably working but your thermostat is stuck open, It takes forever to warm up when they stick open.

I had to replace mine, cost under $15 from memory and was fairly easy, It would have been even easier if I had a scraper/razor blade to remove the old gasket.

Heres a service manual you can download
showthread.php?t=5780&page=2

BENduro · Post by **BENduro** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:13 am

Cheers davosubi, will give it a go...Hopefully it works as it's very important to have some idea of temp' especially in an engine with 240000k's on the clock. Last thing I want to do is blow it!
Thanks all.

BENduro · Post by **BENduro** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:00 pm

Just gave the 'L' a run on the dirt in 4wd and also up a steep track in 4 low and the temp guage began working...Went to about 1/3 and this after not moving at all for a week! It then dropped back to as if it wasn't working again on the short trip home

What's going on with this thing

Is it still worth changing the thermostat or is it a waste of time

Any advice would be much appreciated:;)

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:15 pm

do u even have a thermostat in
and are ur fans working properly (ie not on constantly)

BENduro · Post by **BENduro** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:58 pm

I suppose I have a thermostat in (will check when I get a chance) and fans are working and are not constantly on.

BENduro · Post by **BENduro** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:07 am

All sorted...Was just as you guys suggested, jammed open. New one now in and guage is working, sits just below 1/3rd
Thanks heaps:)