Another newbie question - coolant
#11
10-18-2011, 12:38 PM
re: don't have to pose "less than intelligent" questions
No less than intelligent questions, only those that were not asked in time.
Our search function is fair to good. One problem with a public access non-factory sponsered site is that you are dealing with opinions. So an FAQ might lead people in strange directions. The tech sticky area has been reviewed by many, so it is pretty tight. And a lot of users don't take avantage of the RAVE documents, which are in pdf form, and can also be easily searched. Some are overwhelmed by the quantity of info in the RAVE, others want even more details. Some like it in bite-size snacks.
We're also dealing with many macho male egos, can't let the ladies in our life see that we need help to conquer this hunk-o-junk truck we bought against their better judgement. So some sneak off to the office and pound out questions. A good number of viewers lurk, remaining silent and thought of as a fool, instead of typing and removing all doubt. But in fact, an un-asked question can cost you an engine or more. We've had guys that finally checked the oil, and were four quarts low; some have drained the oil, but then truck won't move - it was tranny drain, oops; I chased my tail on a click when turning right, even crawled through salvage yard on a 100+ day and got a CV and axle - only to find out my lug nuts were just a tad loose.
None of us know everything, but nobody knows more than all of us. We admire those that take on a whopping project and do it. We snicker at the jokes and tall tales. And sometimes a word of encouragement or a thought in a different direction makes all the difference, in our continuing battle to keep the trucks on the road and out of the dealership.
No less than intelligent questions, only those that were not asked in time.
Our search function is fair to good. One problem with a public access non-factory sponsered site is that you are dealing with opinions. So an FAQ might lead people in strange directions. The tech sticky area has been reviewed by many, so it is pretty tight. And a lot of users don't take avantage of the RAVE documents, which are in pdf form, and can also be easily searched. Some are overwhelmed by the quantity of info in the RAVE, others want even more details. Some like it in bite-size snacks.
We're also dealing with many macho male egos, can't let the ladies in our life see that we need help to conquer this hunk-o-junk truck we bought against their better judgement. So some sneak off to the office and pound out questions. A good number of viewers lurk, remaining silent and thought of as a fool, instead of typing and removing all doubt. But in fact, an un-asked question can cost you an engine or more. We've had guys that finally checked the oil, and were four quarts low; some have drained the oil, but then truck won't move - it was tranny drain, oops; I chased my tail on a click when turning right, even crawled through salvage yard on a 100+ day and got a CV and axle - only to find out my lug nuts were just a tad loose.
None of us know everything, but nobody knows more than all of us. We admire those that take on a whopping project and do it. We snicker at the jokes and tall tales. And sometimes a word of encouragement or a thought in a different direction makes all the difference, in our continuing battle to keep the trucks on the road and out of the dealership.
I see where you're coming from as far as a FAQ section goes - I did download the RAVE manual as well - but I think we all know that the way the dealer does things and the "practical" way to do things are sometimes complete opposites, so I often rely on the forums to gain valuable information & insight. I've never had work performed at a dealership on any of my other vehicles....a good set of tools and some common sense has gotten me this far, right?
#12
10-18-2011, 07:23 PM
I've yet to instal my new oil pressure gauge. Now I see that the LR temperature gauge is not to be trusted as well?! (as mentioned) Sheesh!
I am curious how the temp gauge seems to heat up so quickly ( aluminum engines do that I understand) and then suddenly stop midway as if the thermostat is the most efficient in the western world...when it reaches operating temp...
Do I need to get an auxilliary temp gauge too now?
'02 d2
I am curious how the temp gauge seems to heat up so quickly ( aluminum engines do that I understand) and then suddenly stop midway as if the thermostat is the most efficient in the western world...when it reaches operating temp...
Do I need to get an auxilliary temp gauge too now?
'02 d2
#13
10-18-2011, 07:47 PM
Super Moderator
From the RAVE, engine management, coolant temp sensor:
signal to drive the temperature gauge.
So the ECM processes the signal from the coolant temp sensor, and sends a signal to drive the guage. IMHO, the programmer set a range of temps as normal, from "X" to "Y". If temp is in that range, put pointer on the same spot. An idiot light with a needle.
This works fine to keep the casual driver out of the service department with fluctuations. But when it finally does start creeping above the magic "normal", you are already above value "Y". In old skool gauges, you would have seen this creeping moving up, more and more, and probably stopped to do something about it. IMHO as soon as it is above normal, you are rapidly approaching the "shake and bake' zone - bake the engine and shake out the piggy bank.
You can confirm for your self with a data reading scanner, just plug in and watch it as truck warms up.
Now this is the D2, and I suspect it is on other later models. The D1 uses a separate sensor for gauage and ECU temp, but is constructed to produce a similar result. Can't trust the gauge.
The ECT works as a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) sensor. As temperature rises, the resistance in the
sensor decreases, as temperature decreases, the resistance in the sensor increases. The ECT sensor forms part of
a voltage divider chain with a pull up resistor within the ECM. Consequently as the ECT sensor resistance changes,
the analogue voltage at the input signal from the ECT sensor to the ECM will be adjusted which corresponds to the
temperature of the engine coolant. With this information, the ECM can implement the correct strategies for cold start,
warm up etc. The ECM supplies the instrument cluster with a pulse width modulated (PWM) coolant temperature
sensor decreases, as temperature decreases, the resistance in the sensor increases. The ECT sensor forms part of
a voltage divider chain with a pull up resistor within the ECM. Consequently as the ECT sensor resistance changes,
the analogue voltage at the input signal from the ECT sensor to the ECM will be adjusted which corresponds to the
temperature of the engine coolant. With this information, the ECM can implement the correct strategies for cold start,
warm up etc. The ECM supplies the instrument cluster with a pulse width modulated (PWM) coolant temperature
signal to drive the temperature gauge.
So the ECM processes the signal from the coolant temp sensor, and sends a signal to drive the guage. IMHO, the programmer set a range of temps as normal, from "X" to "Y". If temp is in that range, put pointer on the same spot. An idiot light with a needle.
This works fine to keep the casual driver out of the service department with fluctuations. But when it finally does start creeping above the magic "normal", you are already above value "Y". In old skool gauges, you would have seen this creeping moving up, more and more, and probably stopped to do something about it. IMHO as soon as it is above normal, you are rapidly approaching the "shake and bake' zone - bake the engine and shake out the piggy bank.
You can confirm for your self with a data reading scanner, just plug in and watch it as truck warms up.
Now this is the D2, and I suspect it is on other later models. The D1 uses a separate sensor for gauage and ECU temp, but is constructed to produce a similar result. Can't trust the gauge.
#14
10-18-2011, 08:10 PM
Glowshift has an adapter (sandwich) plate at the oil filter. It has ports for the pressure sender and an OIL TEMP sender/gauge. Would this be an adequate indicator of the engine temp in concert with the coolant sensor we are talking about? Like I mentioned, I have an oil pressure gauge (Glowshift)...maybe I should order the oil temp and adapter plate?!
#15
10-19-2011, 11:19 AM
re: don't have to pose "less than intelligent" questions
No less than intelligent questions, only those that were not asked in time.
Our search function is fair to good. One problem with a public access non-factory sponsered site is that you are dealing with opinions. So an FAQ might lead people in strange directions. The tech sticky area has been reviewed by many, so it is pretty tight. And a lot of users don't take avantage of the RAVE documents, which are in pdf form, and can also be easily searched. Some are overwhelmed by the quantity of info in the RAVE, others want even more details. Some like it in bite-size snacks.
We're also dealing with many macho male egos, can't let the ladies in our life see that we need help to conquer this hunk-o-junk truck we bought against their better judgement. So some sneak off to the office and pound out questions. A good number of viewers lurk, remaining silent and thought of as a fool, instead of typing and removing all doubt. But in fact, an un-asked question can cost you an engine or more. We've had guys that finally checked the oil, and were four quarts low; some have drained the oil, but then truck won't move - it was tranny drain, oops; I chased my tail on a click when turning right, even crawled through salvage yard on a 100+ day and got a CV and axle - only to find out my lug nuts were just a tad loose.
None of us know everything, but nobody knows more than all of us. We admire those that take on a whopping project and do it. We snicker at the jokes and tall tales. And sometimes a word of encouragement or a thought in a different direction makes all the difference, in our continuing battle to keep the trucks on the road and out of the dealership.
No less than intelligent questions, only those that were not asked in time.
Our search function is fair to good. One problem with a public access non-factory sponsered site is that you are dealing with opinions. So an FAQ might lead people in strange directions. The tech sticky area has been reviewed by many, so it is pretty tight. And a lot of users don't take avantage of the RAVE documents, which are in pdf form, and can also be easily searched. Some are overwhelmed by the quantity of info in the RAVE, others want even more details. Some like it in bite-size snacks.
We're also dealing with many macho male egos, can't let the ladies in our life see that we need help to conquer this hunk-o-junk truck we bought against their better judgement. So some sneak off to the office and pound out questions. A good number of viewers lurk, remaining silent and thought of as a fool, instead of typing and removing all doubt. But in fact, an un-asked question can cost you an engine or more. We've had guys that finally checked the oil, and were four quarts low; some have drained the oil, but then truck won't move - it was tranny drain, oops; I chased my tail on a click when turning right, even crawled through salvage yard on a 100+ day and got a CV and axle - only to find out my lug nuts were just a tad loose.
None of us know everything, but nobody knows more than all of us. We admire those that take on a whopping project and do it. We snicker at the jokes and tall tales. And sometimes a word of encouragement or a thought in a different direction makes all the difference, in our continuing battle to keep the trucks on the road and out of the dealership.
#16
10-19-2011, 12:37 PM
Super Moderator
#17
10-19-2011, 05:38 PM
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