Oil Temp Gauge Not Working

[SmokinRam]

Hi,

My oil temp gauge on the center console stopped working.
All other gauges read accurately. Can anyone tell me where the oil temp sensor is located and possible troubleshooting techniques?

Thanks

[ABADZL1]

Item 10

[SmokinRam]

Hello,

Thanks for the picture. Everything looks good. I even cleaned the connector for that sensor and still have nothing.

The gauge is definitely getting power because it sweeps when you initially turn the key on, like the other three gauges on the console, but won't come off zero.

Anyone else ever see this or have any ideas where to look?

Thank You

[ABADZL1]

If the wiring and sensor are good, next step is replace ECM. That's what the trouble shooting tree says to do next

[ABADZL1]

Might be covered under your power train warranty

[z28lt1]

EDIT: See below, possible incorrect information.

Hopefully to test soon...

[ABADZL1]

Originally Posted by z28lt1

I believe we've concluded that the oil temperature gauge (not pressure) doesn't actually use the sensor and is calculated, so start the troubleshooting elsewhere.

Not sure how you came to that. But that is incorrect.

[ABADZL1]

.

[z28lt1]

Thanks for posting the screen shot.

It has been confirmed by testing and Chevy that the SS definitely is a calculated number despite the fact that the sensor is a dual pressure/temperature sensor.

It would be a pleasant surprise if the ZL1 differed and used the actual temperature, although the second screen shot has the same information for both, so not sure what to believe. It was posted several times in this forum it was calculated (first by others, then repeated by me), so if it really is an actual temp, I've got some post corrections to do.

Seems like I've got a test to do now if I get some time to play.

[ABADZL1]

Originally Posted by z28lt1

Thanks for posting the screen shot.

It has been confirmed by testing and Chevy that the SS definitely is a calculated number despite the fact that the sensor is a dual pressure/temperature sensor.

It would be a pleasant surprise if the ZL1 differed and used the actual temperature, although the second screen shot has the same information for both, so not sure what to believe. It was posted several times in this forum it was calculated (first by others, then repeated by me), so if it really is an actual temp, I've got some post corrections to do.

Seems like I've got a test to do now if I get some time to play.

The ZL1 is the same as other LS camaro's. The info I posted is from GM's service website which I have access too. I just looked at an SS service manual. It's the same as others and not calculated. The oil temp sensor is also a low level sensor in one; located on the side of the oil pan. The pressure sensor is on the back of the engine on the valley cover and does not have temperature capability. Only pressure

[z28lt1]

Originally Posted by ABADZL1

The ZL1 is the same as other LS camaro's. The info I posted is from GM's service website which I have access too. I just looked at an SS service manual. It's the same as others and not calculated. The oil temp sensor is also a low level sensor in one; located on the side of the oil pan. The pressure sensor is on the back of the engine on the valley cover and does not have temperature capability. Only pressure

In this case I think the service manual is wrong. Someone disconnected the temp sensor in an ls3 to confirm it was calculated and saw no changes to the gauges ( still worked fine).

And Chevy told Grassroots Motorsports it's calculated and helped them test the difference between calculated and actual:
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attach...7&d=1457716463

Finally, there are numerous reports of no temp changes on the gauge when adding a cooler, because the algorithm obviosuly doesn't know you did.

Wouldn't be the first service manual mistake. The evidence for the SS at least is overwhelming.

[ABADZL1]

Did some looking into this temp thing. Service manual doesnt mention any calculation. But there is a calculation algorithm using combination of engine coolant temp and the oil temp sensor.

HPtuners allows you to select whichever method you want for oil temp.

Oil Temp Config lets you set how the Oil Temp is calculated and displayed the options are:
- Calc ECM (oil temp is calculated from ECT and a few other things)
- Calc ECM & Disp Sens (ECM uses calulated oil temp but gauge uses sensor measurement)
- Sens ECM (ECM uses sensor measurement if no sensor faults exist)
- Sens ECM & Disp (ECM & gauge use sensor mesaurement if no faults exist)

[z28lt1]

Originally Posted by ABADZL1

Did some looking into this temp thing. Service manual doesnt mention any calculation. But there is a calculation algorithm using combination of engine coolant temp and the oil temp sensor.

HPtuners allows you to select whichever method you want for oil temp.

Oil Temp Config lets you set how the Oil Temp is calculated and displayed the options are:
- Calc ECM (oil temp is calculated from ECT and a few other things)
- Calc ECM & Disp Sens (ECM uses calulated oil temp but gauge uses sensor measurement)
- Sens ECM (ECM uses sensor measurement if no sensor faults exist)
- Sens ECM & Disp (ECM & gauge use sensor mesaurement if no faults exist)

Great stuff thanks. So, there is both, and who knows which one is really used (although the Grassroots article indicated the gauge was calculated.

We've also seen the numbers from Torque or other OBDII readers not match the gauge, so perhaps the default is something different for the gauge and the ECU. Wonder if any of the settings allows the DIC to go above 260 (or whatever it gets stuck at).

[ABADZL1]

Well, I can tell you which one is used. The blue highlighted area in the pic above is factory. Calc+Sensor