S14 temperature gauge not working

[Lev_96_240sx]

Title pretty much says what the problem is. The temperature gauge doesn't work properly. I have checked the sender and that is not the problem. So my question is what else could there be wrong with it and how do I fix it?

The problem in a bit more detail: It does work sort of, but even when the engine is warm the needle barely goes over the Cold mark.

Any input appreciated. Thanks!

Edit: the car is a 1996 S14 with an S14 SR20DET motor set.

[driftingmy240sx]

are you using the ka24 sender? the sender works by a resistance value determined by the temp. at cold temps there is a high resistance value, when hot a lower resistance value. if the gauge is good and the sender is good you have some sort of outside high resistance n the wire from the sender to gauge. you can used a volt meter on the ohm setting to test the wire and if it good should have less that 1 om resisatnce.

to test the wire the sender and gauge must both be disconnected. to see if the gauge is working before testing the wiring disconnect the sender and groung the wire with the key in the on position. the gauge should read full hot. if it does not the gauge is bad or you have a reistance problem in the wiring. if it does peg full hot when grounded the sender is bad.

make sure you are testing the single wire temp sensor not the 2 wire sensor (1 wire is for gauge, 2 wire is for ecm)

[vancouverbc]

there is a tutorial on this under temperature sensor. its for s13 but it will be similar. i think the resistance values for thermistor changed though.