Temp Sensor problem

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sutt47

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Jul 31, 2011
5
Catalina 320 Tuscarora Yacht Club
I have a 1994 Catalina 320 with a Perkins 30 engine. It was running hot (>200) so I changed out the original temp sensor. Now running temp appears correct (~170) but the high temp light is now on. Any suggestions why?
Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Fly_H23

Fly_H23

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Mar 2, 2011
489
Compac 14 Charleston, SC
Perhaps it wasn't the sensor and really is running hot? Usually a bad temp sensor will peg out at high or low indication.

Have you replaced the thermostat lately?
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
The temp light is turned on by a temp switch. Since it is either "too hot" and on or "not too hot" and off so I'm thinking you have an over-heat condition. The temp switches do not go bad very often BTW. The new tem sensor for the temp gage may have some corrosion in the wiring or, my guess is you used Teflon tape during the install and it does not have a great ground. It is grounded through the threads. More resistance makes the gage read lower temps of I remember correctly.
I would check the raw water flow rate, antifreeze level (when cool not hot) and tension on the pump belt(s) (raw and antifreeze) first as those are the most common problems that cause overheat
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

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May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
Beg or borrow

Yourself a infra red thermometer, and find out what is really going on. Right now, you don't know which of two indicators is correct. The infra red thermometers are cheap and accurate. Not a bad tool to keep aboard.
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
You can use a cooking thermometer in a pinch. Just lightly clamp the probe to an area near the thermostat housing making sure the probe is close to the engine along it's length. A pare of needle nose vice grips is good for this.
 
Idratherbesailing

Idratherbesailing

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May 31, 2004
82
Gulfstar 37 Aft Cockpit New Orleans
I second the advice about buying an infrared temp sensor. About $30 at Harbor Freight...I had a problem like this I worked on for a year before I bought one, found out I had a wire corrosion problem and never had an overtemp condition at all, although my guage said I did. I've used the infrared sensor for many things since then, very valuable tool.
 
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sutt47

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Jul 31, 2011
5
Catalina 320 Tuscarora Yacht Club
Thanks for all the advice. I'll try the thermometer to check the gauge as a first shot
 
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