1990 Chevrolet Lumina temperature sender is located on the back side of the thermostat housing. The sender has a wire that goes to the temperature gauge.
only 3 reasons a temp gauge wont work the temp sender is bad the gauge is bad or the wire from temp sender to gauge is broken
The temperature sender (the sensor that sends the temperature signal to the gauge) has to be immersed in coolant in order to correctly read the temperature. If the coolant is so low that it leaves the sender high and dry, the temperature shown on the gauge will not be a true reading. if the sensor is not immersed in the coolant, there a big chance it wont read at all...
The gauge sender is located on the back driverside top of the head.
bad temp sender usually. Bad gauge rarely.
temp sensor - sends signals to the computer for driveability temp sender - measures temp and sends to gauge in dash
If your temperature gauge isn't working the problem is a bad gauge, grounded or disconnected wiring or, most likely, the temp sender isn't working.
The temperature sender for the instrument cluster gauge is between spark plugs #5 and #7 on the passenger side cylinder head. The temperature sender for the ECM is in the front of the intake manifold, beneath the throttle body.
Take wire off temperature sender look a guage. If guage at cool, temp sender needs replacement. If guage still at hot, temp sender wire shorted to engine or vehicle body.
There is a hose that runs from the radiator to the front of the engine block (front of the vehicle). Where the hose enters the engine, the temperature sender unit is threaded into the block. It has an electrical connector attached to it. To the best of my knowledge, this is the only temperature sender. Best...
It sounds like your temperature sender (on top of the engine) is faulty allowing it to earth out, or the wire going to the sender may be touching a earth.
usually on the left of the engine between the first two spark plugs