C15 acert. Coolant temp gauge

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Cajuncowboy654, Aug 15, 2019.

  1. Cajuncowboy654

    Cajuncowboy654 Light Load Member

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    So no one has been replying to my old thread on this

    He is an update.
    I was having an issue where my coolant temp gauge wouldn't get above 150°

    So I checked the temp of the housing with an infrared gun. Was reading near or just above 170

    Had my terminal manager pull up the reading from our elog system, it also reads the ecm.

    Ecm was showing the engine at 177° but gauge still under 150.

    Swapped the sensor on top of the thermostat housing which is supposed to be the peterbilt gauge sensor, still not reading above 150

    Is there a way to test if the gauge itself is bad or somewhere else I should be looking?

    Truck is an 05 pete 379
     
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  3. kranky1

    kranky1 Road Train Member

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    Not sure why, but that’s about the same discrepancy as the gauge in my ‘05 KW. It’s a BXS C15, ECM trips the fan at 218. Gauge reads 200 when the fan comes on.
     
  4. Cajuncowboy654

    Cajuncowboy654 Light Load Member

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    Hmm my gauge doesnt go any higher or lower than 150 once the engine is warm.

    Mine is an mxs
     
  5. kranky1

    kranky1 Road Train Member

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    That’s a little odd. I don’t know what gross weight you run over what terrain. Mine drags 135,000lbs back and forth over the Appalaichans. Runs 215 pretty steady at cruise but hits 218 in about a minute and a half when i fuel it up on a grade. Can’t get it over 175 empty. 150 on your gauge should put the engine somewhere around 175-177 or something if I read right. Probably about what you should have at 80,000 until you throw a mountain grade and altitude at it. If nothing else at least you know your cooling system isn’t over-stressed.
     
  6. Cajuncowboy654

    Cajuncowboy654 Light Load Member

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    I just dont want to have an overheating problem and not know because my gauge isnt working
     
  7. spsauerland

    spsauerland Road Train Member

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    Jump the terminals of the pigtail of the coolant temp sending unit and see if the gauge pegs out. Let us know what it does.
     
    pushbroom and Diesel Dave Thank this.
  8. Cajuncowboy654

    Cajuncowboy654 Light Load Member

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    Will do in the morning before I head out
     
  9. Cajuncowboy654

    Cajuncowboy654 Light Load Member

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    Jumped terminals this mornin . Gauge pegged out so that should rule out the gauge, correct?

    I did find a post last night about possible grounding issue. Will try a jumper wire from a good ground to the base of the sensor this afternoon when I get done for the day.
     
  10. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    With the wire unhooked your gauge show read nothing. If you ground the wire your gauge show peg out all the way right. Sounds like your gauge is working. Make sure you have good connection with wire to sensor. Those push on ones aren't great. Pinch it a little after you put it on. Or get something like a scan gauge D. Will read many thing off the ECM including temp. 15660141664248569345435041172756.jpg
     
    Cajuncowboy654 Thanks this.
  11. Cajuncowboy654

    Cajuncowboy654 Light Load Member

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    Ok so I got the scangauge today and my dash gauge is definitely off.

    Now I noticed a problem thoug . I have a coolant leak coming from the thermostat housing area along the block.

    Any areas prone to leaks there?
     
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