Coolant Temperature Sensor not working
 

Sorry to post so many threads, but I'm trying to fix some problems simultaneously on my new-to-me '83 XJ6!!

My engine has trouble revving under load, but before I try to troubleshoot that too much, I'd really like to get my coolant temperature sensor working. It makes me very nervous that it doesn't seem to work! When I start the car, it does seem to get a nice little blip, so I know it has power. However, after starting and idling the engine for about 10 minutes on a 60 degree day, the engine coolant temperature didn't move at all! I would've thought it would be reading right in the middle by then.

So is the temperature gauge bad? Maybe the temp sender is bad? Any way for me to test these? I think it would be good to check the connection first, but I have no idea how to get this gauge out of the instrument panel or where the coolant temp sensor is located.

I'm finding that the first thing I need to get with this old Jag is a bucket of fuses and a multimeter!

The sending unit for the temperature gauge is on the water rail and has a single terminal spade connector and green wire.

Unplug the connector. Turn the key "on" and and touch the green wire to ground. The temp gauge should go to full hot". If it does the gauge itself is OK.

If it doesn't the sending unit is bad or there is a wiring problem.

Cheers
DD

Thanks Doug. Supposing it's bad, do you have a part number? I am confused as to which one is the coolant temperature sender and which is the coolant temperature sensor.

Click here:
Quick Reference: Top Twenty XJ Repair Issues
If you scroll down there's a section on indentifying the water rail devices

Cheers
DD