LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Engine temp gauge issues

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Old 11-09-22, 02:52 PM
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Zebe0110
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Default Engine temp gauge issues

Hey guys, so I'm having some issues with my temp gauge, seems to want to rest in the center, when I turn the car on it goes up, the water pump went out and while fixing that the gauge decided to start acting up. I don't really want to try and warm her up with this going on, when the cars off and cool it's resting in the center when I start it, it will go up, I'm just looking to see if anyone can point me in the right direction, speedo was out when I got it and tach went out shortly after so if there's a fix for those too without getting a new cluster let me know
Old 11-09-22, 03:23 PM
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paulo57509
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Production year of your LS?

This is probably not the problem, but did you follow the service manual when refilling the cooling system? Was the cooling system purged of air?

You need to determine if the gauge or the sender is bad. Follow the attached instruction to make the determination (through the process of elimination). When checking the sender resistance (Step 17), you can do this with the sender installed, using the engine as the heat source:
  1. Check the resistance with the engine cold.
  2. Run the engine to get it to operating temperature - then check the resistance

If you rather throw parts at it:
  1. Replace the coolant temperature sender (not to be mistaken for the coolant temperature sensor).
If this doesn't fix the issue, it's probably the gauge.

TBH, I think the gauge is the problem.

Last edited by paulo57509; 11-09-22 at 04:00 PM.
Old 11-09-22, 04:07 PM
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Zebe0110
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Originally Posted by paulo57509
Production year of your LS?

This is probably not the problem, but did you follow the service manual when refilling the cooling system? Was the cooling system purged of air?

You need to determine if the gauge or the sender is bad. Follow the attached instruction to make the determination (through the process of elimination). When checking the sender resistance (Step 17), you can do this with the sender installed, using the engine as the heat source:
  1. Check the resistance with the engine cold.
  2. Run the engine to get it to operating temperature - then check the resistance

If you rather throw parts at it:
  1. Replace the coolant temperature sender (not to be mistaken for the coolant temperature sensor).
If this doesn't fix the issue, it's probably the gauge.

TBH, I think the gauge is the problem.
Thanks for the reply, I have a 1990 (built 11/89), I followed the instructions on the reservoir, I didn't open my book for it so maybe I didn't purge the air out as needed, do you have any tips on fixing the gauge cluster? I am trying to keep as many parts on it that came with the car as I can, is it possible to rebuild a gauge cluster? And is there anything that could cause them to go funky?
Old 11-10-22, 03:44 PM
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paulo57509
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Originally Posted by Zebe0110
Thanks for the reply, I have a 1990 (built 11/89), I followed the instructions on the reservoir, I didn't open my book for it so maybe I didn't purge the air out as needed, do you have any tips on fixing the gauge cluster? I am trying to keep as many parts on it that came with the car as I can, is it possible to rebuild a gauge cluster? And is there anything that could cause them to go funky?
The best way to get the cluster repaired is to remove the entire cluster and send it to Tanin.
https://www.taninautoelectronix.com/
Old 11-10-22, 04:13 PM
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deanshark
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Originally Posted by paulo57509
The best way to get the cluster repaired is to remove the entire cluster and send it to Tanin.
https://www.taninautoelectronix.com/
Hey, I was gonna say that.
Although.....they do charge alot to change the temp gauge if yours is actually bad. That gauge is discontinued so I don't know how they'd change it.
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