temp sensor

To test the gage you can turn the key on and then ground the wire that goes to the sensor...your gage should max out.

Your temp sensor is actually a variable resistor called a thermistor. You can test the sensor with an ohm meter. The normal resistance on an engine at 50 to 80 degrees F = 2,200 to 2,700 ohms. As the sensor temperature DECREASES, the resistance value will INCREASE and vice-versa. Take a coffee cup full of water and nuke it until it gets very hot (bubbling). Check the ressistance again now with the end of the sensor in the hot water. If the sensor is good it should have decreased the resistance.

You put the + lead to the wire hookup and the ground lead to the body of the sensor or ground wire...depending on what you have. By my memory, ours is a single hot, body ground.

I am assuming we are talking about the temp sensor for your gage, not the one that turns on an optional electric fan. the one for a fan is actually just an on/off switch activated by a particular temp.

I hope this helps....I'm going by memory here....