Temperature Gauge in ‘87

[nateppler10]

The temperature gauge in my Jeep is always on. The light is dim lit red and gets brighter. Is the light always supposed to be on to measure temperature or does it being on mean something is wrong? 

[Ωhm]

1 hour ago, nateppler10 said:

The light is dim lit red and gets brighter.

 

Does it get brighter as the engine warms up?

[nateppler10]

On 5/11/2018 at 6:38 PM, Ωhm said:

 

Does it get brighter as the engine warms up?

Yeah, it does. 

[Ωhm]

Seem like you're running a coolant temperature sender (used for gauge), instead of a coolant temperature switch (used for idiot light).

[Eagle]

4 hours ago, Ωhm said:

Seem like you're running a coolant temperature sender (used for gauge), instead of a coolant temperature switch (used for idiot light).

 

This. From your opening post, it sounds like you have a temperature idiot light, not a "gauge." The light should be either on or off -- it should never glow dimly.

[nateppler10]

How do I fix that? 

[Big Dan]

replace the switch with a temperature sender

[Eagle]

32 minutes ago, Big Dan said:

replace the switch with a temperature sender

 

Just the opposite. He has a temperature "sensor." He needs to replace it with a "switch" for use with the idiot light.

 

#WT387

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web/PartSearchCmd?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&pageId=partTypeList&actionSrc=Form&searchTerm=temperature switch%2Fsender&vehicleIdSearch=8505

[Big Dan]

I misread what he had. My mistake.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[HOrnbrod]

12 hours ago, Eagle said:

 

Just the opposite. He has a temperature "sensor." He needs to replace it with a "switch" for use with the idiot light.

 

#WT387

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web/PartSearchCmd?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&pageId=partTypeList&actionSrc=Form&searchTerm=temperature switch%2Fsender&vehicleIdSearch=8505

 

I think THIS is correct for his 87 with idiot temperature light.

[omega_rugal]

a bad temp switch may do that too, leaks current as it warms up... mine does that...

[Eagle]

6 hours ago, HOrnbrod said:

 

I think THIS is correct for his 87 with idiot temperature light.

 

That one should work, too. Dunno why, but I started with Auto Zone and I couldn't come up with anything but aftermarket senders for aftermarket temp gauges. So I jumped over to Advanced Auto.

[nateppler10]

Thanks for all the help.