tapping the thermostat lowers the temp gauge....

[noro]

tap the gas tank see if you get better mileage...

[Racing]

I have the exact same problem! I feel something isnt right and the engine is warmer than normal? The fan is kicking in and the engine seems ok but something is wrong since the gauge isnt steady at 1/2...

[Dave @nz]

Hi
Yes the plug that goes onto the double temp switch if you havent had the fan come on when driving remove the switch from the thermostat plug it back in to the car, and with the key on and the switch in a container pore some hot water from a jug on it to see if it will activate the fan as it might be faulty.

If you can get a temp gauge to put in the catch tank just to confirm the dash gauge is reading correct.

I found this
Lowest mark....40 degrees C., or 104 degrees F.
1/4 mark.......60 degrees C., or 140 degrees F.
Center mark....80 degrees C., or 176 degrees F.
3/4 mark.......100 degrees C., or 212 degrees F.
Highest mark...120 degrees C., or 248 degrees F."
From thread...http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread...t-So-quot-Cool
Dave.

[hardtailer]

low speed kicks in at 91 deg C and hi speed at 99 deg C.
What the gauge shows is also dependent on the voltage the generator provides so your best check would really be to get one of those infrared thermometers and see if the fan kicks in at the aforementioned temps (give or take a couple of degrees).

That the gauge reads slightly higher after the car has been sitting with a turned off but previously warm engine is entirely normal. It's called heat soak and it's the heat of the combustion chamber, exhaust and all the other parts that are hotter than the coolant being transfered to the coolant and the sensor.

Regarding the hoses: see if the lower one is also hot when the engine is at operating temp. If not the thermostat is stuck shut. If it heats up as quickly as the upper ones (and so does the radiator) then its stuck open.

You can check the temp switch and the thermostat by removing it from the car and put it in a pan on the stove and heat it up. With the water boiling it has reached 100 deg C. Long before that you can watch the thermostat open (or not, then it's faulty). Search for 91, 99 and you'll find everything there is to know about the temp switch, thermostat and the fan.

Finally, do a search for the wiring diagram to see what the fuses are all for and then check but let me tell you the electrics are all sound.