Operating temp Question

[Shannen Durphey]

The final answer is don't trust the gauge, use a scan tool.
The gauge is best used for relative readings.
Shannen

Bob Wooten wrote:
> 
> I have a 98 Grand Prix, 3.8L NA motor.  I was noticing that it appears to
> run cold.  how hot is it supposed to run?
> 
> the gauge looks like this.  the "--->" is where the temp sits most of the
> time.
> 
> 260 ------
>        ---
>        ---
>        ---
>        ---
>        ---
>      -----
>        ---
>        ---
>        ---
>        ---
>        ---
> 210  -----
>        ---
>        ---
>        ---
>        ---
>        ---
> -->  -----
>        ---
>        ---
>        ---
>        ---
>        ---
> 160  -----
> 
> If I take (210-160)/2 + 160 this indicates that the motor is running @ 185.
> this seems to be pretty darn cold considering that this is a 98 model car.
> my 71 came with a 185 stat, I would think that this car would tend to want
> to run warmer, maybe 210 or so where the middle of the gauge is.
> unfortunately I don't have a scanner for the car, so I don't know what the
> ECM thinks the temp is, but it seems to be quite happy.
> 
> it also appears that that the ECM controls the voltage to the cooling fans.
> when it gets up @ just above this 185 point both of the fans come on, but
> they only draw a small amount of air.  I cant imagine that this is all these
> fans can pull, so I am guessing that it has a DAC or something that it
> outputs to the fans to control how much air they pull. am I way off base or
> what?
> 
> Boy, these new fangled cars gots all kind O stuff in dem.
> 
> Bob Wooten
> r71chevy at earthlink.net
> www.r71camaro.homestead.com
> 
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