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Re: operating temperature--the only explanation is that the it's actually operating at a higher temperature than indicated. The gauge reads as I mentioned, but the controller is supposed to turn the fans on at 180. I hear the fans come on at an *indicated* 156.
So, doing the math that's at ~24 degs off farenheit.
But you tell me.. according to the stock gauge, before using the controller, it wld stay pegged at 45%. Now, I've actually got movement and it hovers no higher than 40%.
Exactly, the cars own ECT sensor is wrong or the fan kit's sensor is wrong (it is one of those kits with its own sensor right?). You need a 3rd sensor to break the tie, either an ECT sensor from another car or a thermocouple or IR thermometer to measure the outside of the engine.
Ok-This morning I decided to record some temp readings..
I got in the car, turned the key to the on position(without starting the car) and the dash display read 26f, the obd read -9c. That's a 10 degree spread and would expect both to read pretty close to the same.
After warming up, highway drive for 30 mins to work, obd coolant read 63-65c the entire way, iat read 3c.
Pulled in a parking space at work, let it idle for a minute, obd coolant read 63c iat read 8 and rising up to around 10 or so. Dash display read 25f.
Below is what the stock gauge looked like while idling after the drive to work...
Interestingly, while I had the engine apart, I also replaced the thermo sensor with a new atkins unit assuming I'd cover all bases, but I'll take RIWWP's advice and see if I can definitively determine if that sensor's faulty.
Usually Atkins sells OEM Mazda stuff for the sensors. Maybe he got a different part from an older.one. ..not sure if the curves are the same as the RX8 sensor
First thing I would do though is swap in a sensor I know that works and go from there 😊