pls answer re: coolant temperature warning light

[geoff]

Hi all
I have asked twice now in other topics if someone can please tell me where the coolant temperature warning light is situated.
It is a feature on older models but my '81 only has a temperature gauge and I want to fit a warning light as well so thought it would be a good idea to try to put it where it is located on the older models.
Thanks in advance
geoff

[DieselSpider]

My 78 has the gauge however depending on the year the idiot light as they were called was embedded in the face of either the tachometer or speedometer as far as I could tell.

To me a light that tells you its too late never was much good which is why they were called idiot lights since once they lit up they were basically laughing at you while the gauge gives you time to pull over and do something about it before you have already overheated the engine.

You could try to fit one of these however you chance ruining the tach or speedometer in doing so:
http://www.autozone.com/lighting/indica ... 95404_0_0/

[geoff]

thanks for that diesel spider.
I also have the gauge which works off a different sensor. So I want the second sensor to illuminate the light.
I must agree though, that I don't want to risk damaging the tacho.

[GeorgeT]

There are two temp sensors in the head; one to send a signal to the gauge for the approximate temperature and the other that is basically an open/closed switch that closes when the temp reaches a certain point and "pegs" the gauge. That temp is below where actual damage will occur but does mean you need to turn it off immediately. I guess you could use that sensor to trigger an idiot light.

[geoff]

that's what I plan to do George

[bradartigue]

I don't know of any earlier car that has a warning lamp, they all work as described above, if the pointer enters the red area then the engine is overheating. If the thing stays in the red even with the engine cool, or fluctuates wildly then you have air in the cylinder head.

[geoff]

It is just that I have been told that earlier cars had a warning light.

[bradartigue]

It is just that I have been told that earlier cars had a warning light.

I don't think so; I went through some old owners manuals, 1976, 1970, 1979, and microfilms just now and none have a light on the gauge that I can tell. It wouldn't have been hard to have one, but the books clearly show the oil gauge with a light and the water gauge without.

[geoff]

thanks for that. It may explain why i did not get an answer when I posted on another subject forum.
If nobody comes up with anything different, I am going to just install a light where it seems to make sense to me - but without spoiling the originality of the car.

[spider2081]

Why not install a "Sonalert" behind the dash out of sight. The tone warning might alert you to an over temperature quicker that a light coming on.

[geoff]

good idea spider
I will consider that
thanks
geoff

[JohnMc]

My '70 has a warning light in the corner of the temperature gauge itself. So did my 1969. Uses two sensors in the head - I think one black and one red (but not certain which is which). Has the same arrangement for the oil pressure gauge and warning light.

[bradartigue]

My '70 has a warning light in the corner of the temperature gauge itself. So did my 1969. Uses two sensors in the head - I think one black and one red (but not certain which is which). Has the same arrangement for the oil pressure gauge and warning light.

Are your gauges black with lettering in white and yellow or is it the style with the lines and "WATER" or "ACQUA" written real big across them? I'm curious only because I've never known when the changeover was. My 1970, and the last 1968 I looked at, had the more traditional style - same gauges used throughout the 1970s. The Spider 2000 gauges were slightly different.

FIAT lists your gauge as 4191871, which has no light, this one:



But then we have this as well:



Neither have a light. Makes me curious as to what you have installed - silver bezel?

[geoff]

my car has a black Veglia gauge in farrenheight - but it is different to either of these.
And guess what, I have just yesterday modified it by drilling a 3mm. hole into the dial itself to accept a red diode.
I am now waiting for the diode to arrive and will post a picture of the finished job
regards
geoff