Temp Gauge Question

[Bartron8000]

So I replaced my stock gauge cluster(99 ES) with a gauge cluster form a 03 Protege5. Well the temp gauge is always at the top of HOT. I know my car isn't overheating because it has never had any sort of temp problems. My friend and I think this new gauge is looking for a different amperage or something like that. My question is can I buy a 2003 temp sensor and replace it with mine? Its almost winter and I really want my temp gauge back.

[dmention7]

Does the needle sit all the way at the bottom when the engine is cold? In other words, is it possible that the needle just got jarred, and is no longer pointing in the correct direction?

[mndsm]

It's possible that the connection got all jacked when swapping dashboards. IIRC they SHOULD be the same bits, since the p5 wasn't a turbo. Check your connections, etc, maybe run the p/n for the temp sensors to make sure they aren't different.

[Bartron8000]

The needle goes down when the engine is off, and there is another person on the mazdas247 forum that has the same problem. I was just wondering if anyone ever had this problem and had a solution.

[dmention7]

It looks like the 1.6 and 1.8l motors used interchangeable temp sensors, but I'm getting a different part number for the 2003 2.0l motor. Interestingly, all 2003 proteges including the mazdaspeed seem to use the same coolant temp sensor.

Unfortunately, that doesn't really eliminate any variables.... it could still be different temp sensor voltage signal, different gauge cluster voltage response, or a malfunctioning gauge on the cluster.

If you want, we could try plugging your gauge cluster into my car sometime and see what it does, since the p5 and MSP should be using the same sensor.

Also, as long as you know your car is running normally, you could try using a 2003 temp sensor (looks like they're only about 30 bucks from www.onlinemazdaparts.com (http://www.onlinemazdaparts.com) ). If the temp reads normally, then I would be fairly comfortable trusting it to tell me if engine is running hot or cold. I just don't know if the 1.8 and 2.0 motors use the same sensor location or are designed to run at the same temp.

[Bartron8000]

Could you post a direct link to the part or get a part number? I couldn't find it on their web site and the search didn't come up with anything.

[dmention7]

I got there by selecting the year/make/model at the website I gave

Then go into Electrical | Powertrain Control | Coolant temp sensor

But they didn't give the part numbers, so I did a couple of searches at various automotive websites ( www.autopartswarehouse.com for one) and was getting different parts for the different engines.