odd cooling temp reading

[Steady_One_S13]

What's up guys. Hope you can help me out or give me advice.

My auto meter temp gauge started acting screwy yesterday. I checked for loose wiring, but couldn't find anything wrong with wiring of the sensor or gauge.

It reads 120* F after the SR warms up. It only did this when the temp here (El Paso) dropped to 46* F. Other than that, it worked fine when the ambient temp was 77* F. Could it be that my auto meter temp sensor is going bad (due to slight cold weather)??

Is there an alternate aftermarket sensor that I can use with my set up?

Btw, I have a Blitz upper rad hose with bung + auto meter temp sensor installed, Nismo thermostat and Prestone's Dex-Cool 50/50 coolant.

Thanks in advance.

[Steady_One_S13]

Somebody...anybody...

[VanIsleS14]

I'd find out what temp the nismo thermostat opens at. obviously lower than the factory one,which will keep your engine at a lower operating temp. Not sure what the conversion of 120F to celcius...since i"m Canadian. Could potentially be the sensor though.

[lowlifestyle]

I'd try the sending unit. The engine is most likely not at that temp, I've never heard of and engine being too cold. The nismo thermostat opens at ~160*. You will need the Autometer sending unit, gauges and senders are calibrated to work together, any other brand would likely not be accurate.

[Steady_One_S13]

Thanks. I'll try another Auto Meter sending unit. It works fine now that the temp has gone up to the mid 70s. And yes, the thermostat opens up at 155-160, according to temp gauge.