I have a 1997 Olds Cutlass with the 3.1L v6, I bought this car a few weeks ago and the guy that I bought it from had replaced the temp sensor a few times. The issue I'm having is that the temp guage is pegged out even when the car is first started in cold weather. I believe that it has something to do with the wiring harness and or the guage itself. When I turn the key to the accessory position, it stays pegged out at hot, goes about half way down and then peggs out again. I know that with any car, all the guages are supposed to max out, and then go all the way back down to zero in order to reset themselves. I was wondering if anyone could help me with this problem. Its a nice car but I'd really like to know how hot she runs.

 

Do you have an OBD2 scanner? Most of them now do live data and will be able to give you the temp. Getting the gauge sorted tho, should be a priority.

 

@Professur - I do have an OBD2 and it's running at standard running temp. Do you know if there is more than one temp sensor on the 3.1? I've been a Jeep owner for most of my life and I know that the 3.0 I6 in the newer cherokees have one for the gauge and one for the electric fan. I just want to find out why this gauge isn't working right and I would like to find out if it is just a sensor or not. I don't really want to tear the whole dash apart just to fix that gauge.