Third GEN water temperature gage

Actual mechanical water, temperature gauge. Has anyone done this ? I’m at 312k+ miles and I’ve only had it a couple months. I did have the oil light coming on and I checked my oil and it seems OK so I added a mechanical oil pressure gauge disconnected the switch and the pressure seems within range according to the Toyota service manual so it got me thinking what about the water temperature and since it’s just basically a light. I’d like to also keep the current water temp light/ gauge connected as well.

 

Can't you get this through the OBD2 port with a dongle?

I know I monitor a bunch of stuff with my phone.

 

As mentioned above, use your OBDII port and monitor actual ECT as well as other vital information.

The gauge on your dash is a dummy gauge and relies on a single-wire sender. This is problematic as you can get false readings and have altogether different results for example -

Engine not overheating, a bad sender can fail to tell you that you're running too hot

OR

Engine running fine, a bad sender can falsely tell you that you're overheating

The actual sensor that not only monitors your engine coolant, but also communicates with your PCM (open loop operation, etc) reads out to your OBDII and is in no way tied to the sender or gauge I explained above.

 

Great idea ! Any recommendations on what to plug into the OBDII that communicates to my iPhone ? Kwikvette and Negusm

 

I wouldn't bother tying up a phone; the two most popular choices arw Scangauge and Ultragauge.

I ran an Ultragauge when I had my 4Runner -



If I recall correctly, I think Scangauge came out with a newer modern looking setup.

Either connect via OBDII.

 

Looks good - I will check that out ! Thanks

 

I use this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JFRFJG6?ie=UTF8

 

I use one of these. It works fine. I think it's worth an $8 gamble. Especially when the one linked above is $140.

OBD2 Bluetooth Mini Adapter ELM327 Car Compatible with Android, Windows, iPhone | eBay

If you order from China prices are only $3 or $4 but shipping is a couple of weeks. Search for ELM327.

Also available on Amazon. Some are Android only. Some will also work with iOS.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Dewhel-Alumi...t=&hvlocphy=9033087&hvtargid=pla-570191884470
I use one of these spliced into the upper radiator hose of my 66 mustang. The temp sender goes to a digital water temp gauge and also kicks on my electric fans.

 

When your thermostat opens and coolant flow throughs the upper hose from the radiator into the engine, do you see a temperature change on the gauge? If so, then the gauge should show increase in temperature as the hot engine coolant flows through the radiator thence the hose with sensor. My goal is to verify the thermostat is working so if the temperature changes, the thermostat must be functioning; however, with the sensor in the radiator hose, it does not show at what temperature the thermostat is opening.