i just got my kick back from previous problem... all it was was the rotor in the distribitor! it wasent making enough contact. so any ways cutting to the chase... i realized thet my temp gauge wasent rising? im getting hot air from the heater, i checked the plug near the thermostate. everything seems too be alright. im almost sure theres no fuse for just the temp gauge.
i hit another wall.... pls some info. thanks guys n gals.
p.s sOo glad to have my kick back!

Check your fuses under the the dash

There is only one wire that connects to the senor so double check that is is secure....


Threre are a few other things we can check but start with the basics

i just got my kick back from previous problem... all it was was the rotor in the distribitor! it wasent making enough contact. so any ways cutting to the chase... i realized thet my temp gauge wasent rising? im getting hot air from the heater, i checked the plug near the thermostate. everything seems too be alright. im almost sure theres no fuse for just the temp gauge.
i hit another wall.... pls some info. thanks guys n gals.
p.s sOo glad to have my kick back!

Most of the time, it is a bad connection at the sensor that causes the problem.  You can check this by carefully pulling the connector from the sensor - it is a spade-type connector on the sensor closest to the front of the engine under the thermostat.  The one farther back goes to the ECM.  If loose or corroded, clean it off with a bit of sandpaper and squeeze the connector on the wire a bit with a apir of needle-nosed pliers to tighten the connector up a bit.

If you have access to a multimeter, you can do a simple check on the sensor itself.  Set the multimeter to measure resistance (Ohms).  With the engine cold, measure the resistance from the connector on the end of the sensor to a clean metal spot on the intake manifold near the sensor.  I forget exactly what the reading should be, but it should be a big number.   Run the engine for a few minutes until it gets nice and warm.  Shut it off (mostly for safety reasons...) and do the measurement again.  The measurement should result in a significantly lower number.  If not, you have a bad sensor.

A precise testing process is described in the '88 Samurai FSM and in many similar aftermarket repair manuals.  The technique should also work with your Sidekick -- especialy if it is an older unit.

I wonder where you could find a copy of the '88 FSM....   Hmmmm.

Quote from: allian on October 10, 2006, 05:08:06 PM

i just got my kick back from previous problem... all it was was the rotor in the distribitor! it wasent making enough contact. so any ways cutting to the chase... i realized thet my temp gauge wasent rising? im getting hot air from the heater, i checked the plug near the thermostate. everything seems too be alright. im almost sure theres no fuse for just the temp gauge.
i hit another wall.... pls some info. thanks guys n gals.
p.s sOo glad to have my kick back!

Most of the time, it is a bad connection at the sensor that causes the problem.  You can check this by carefully pulling the connector from the sensor - it is a spade-type connector on the sensor closest to the front of the engine under the thermostat.  The one farther back goes to the ECM.  If loose or corroded, clean it off with a bit of sandpaper and squeeze the connector on the wire a bit with a apir of needle-nosed pliers to tighten the connector up a bit.

If you have access to a multimeter, you can do a simple check on the sensor itself.  Set the multimeter to measure resistance (Ohms).  With the engine cold, measure the resistance from the connector on the end of the sensor to a clean metal spot on the intake manifold near the sensor.  I forget exactly what the reading should be, but it should be a big number.   Run the engine for a few minutes until it gets nice and warm.  Shut it off (mostly for safety reasons...) and do the measurement again.  The measurement should result in a significantly lower number.  If not, you have a bad sensor.

A precise testing process is described in the '88 Samurai FSM and in many similar aftermarket repair manuals.  The technique should also work with your Sidekick -- especialy if it is an older unit.

I wonder where you could find a copy of the '88 FSM....   Hmmmm.

i'll check that right away.

Quote from: allian on October 10, 2006, 05:08:06 PM

i just got my kick back from previous problem... all it was was the rotor in the distribitor! it wasent making enough contact. so any ways cutting to the chase... i realized thet my temp gauge wasent rising? im getting hot air from the heater, i checked the plug near the thermostate. everything seems too be alright. im almost sure theres no fuse for just the temp gauge.
i hit another wall.... pls some info. thanks guys n gals.
p.s sOo glad to have my kick back!

Most of the time, it is a bad connection at the sensor that causes the problem.  You can check this by carefully pulling the connector from the sensor - it is a spade-type connector on the sensor closest to the front of the engine under the thermostat.  The one farther back goes to the ECM.  If loose or corroded, clean it off with a bit of sandpaper and squeeze the connector on the wire a bit with a apir of needle-nosed pliers to tighten the connector up a bit.

If you have access to a multimeter, you can do a simple check on the sensor itself.  Set the multimeter to measure resistance (Ohms).  With the engine cold, measure the resistance from the connector on the end of the sensor to a clean metal spot on the intake manifold near the sensor.  I forget exactly what the reading should be, but it should be a big number.   Run the engine for a few minutes until it gets nice and warm.  Shut it off (mostly for safety reasons...) and do the measurement again.  The measurement should result in a significantly lower number.  If not, you have a bad sensor.

A precise testing process is described in the '88 Samurai FSM and in many similar aftermarket repair manuals.  The technique should also work with your Sidekick -- especialy if it is an older unit.

I wonder where you could find a copy of the '88 FSM....   Hmmmm.

 
i sanded down the clip and still no temp. im so possitive it the sensor. another thing i don't have is multimeter(shitty ).
i was looking it the nut thats on the sensor i cant' get it off, its copper i think its so delicate it on the verge of stripping. is there anyother way to take it out?

I believe it takes a 10mm wrench.  Try using a brake wrench as they tend to hold on more tightly than it's open-ended counterpart.