did i swap the right temp sensor?

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

cars running now but my temp gauge is not working... i swapped the sensor from my m42. it plugged right in. but it wont work.....

pic of what i changed..the one on the front*



any ideas? if i put a temp sensor from an m20 will it be ok with mt cluster? my car is a 91 318is.... just wondering because i can get one from an m20 to try....

[zep06]

From what ive read, there is tapping/dieing involved in the temp sensor install for m20 guys.
Now, since my car is an m3, i was told that the temp sensor would work, and mine also screwed right into the head.
Does yours have 1 prong, or 2?

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

2 prong it was a direct fit. the e36 harness plugged right in it......but it does nothing...

[logger]

What does your temp guage run at with the m50 temp guage sensor?

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

What does your temp guage run at with the m50 temp guage sensor?

didn't try it yet....

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

I think I know what I'm doing now...

http://www.autometer.com/cat_accessoriesdetail.aspx?vid=61

then get a real temp gauge, it would be nice if i could get this too..

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=77993&highlight=gauge+pod

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

but i don't think i can do this because, the original sensor needs to be hooked up for the dme?

[jakeb]

There are two sensors....one for the dme and one for the gauge. Do you have the wiring right? You might be able to ground the wire going to the gauge and it should peg to full hot... Maybe someone can confirm this. If so then run a wire from the plug that goes to that temp sensor ground it and turn the key...the temp gauge should peg, if it doesn't you have a wiring issue.

Don't just get a after market gauge....fix the real problem

[rThor432]

Maybe someone can confirm this.

Yes, if you ground the plug that goes to the sensor it should peg red. If it doesnt, there is a problem in the wiring. If it does, you likely have a bad sensor.

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

i just put the stock m50 sensor back in. I would like to get a real temp gauge instead of the stock set up. just so I have some #'s to go by instead of the idiot gauge. I have the TB heater hoses off the throttle body and they are just looped if i put a block in there for a temp sensor to go in will it be accurate? if so this would be a very easy way to do it....

[2002maniac]

Did you ground the plug to see if the guage pegs red? If it doesn't your wiring is wrong.

[hugh jass]

please change your vanos line

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

Did you ground the plug to see if the guage pegs red? If it doesn't your wiring is wrong.

I did not try that. I'm just going to get a real temp gauge....

[gazellebeigem3]

please change your vanos line

hahahaha pm on a motor swap?? never! dont be such a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles carly

[rThor432]

I did not try that. I'm just going to get a real temp gauge....

You should get the stock one to work. From my experience it seems to be very accurate. Just because it doesnt have numbers doesnt make it bad.

The difference of 4 degrees Celsius is about a the difference of being slightly to the left or slightly to the right of the center needle on the stock guage-- it's a noticeable difference.