My '95... Got most of the big issues under control and am starting to drive it more.

Has 2 issues: torque converter does not lock up, and seems to use fuel excessively.

I think both of these problems are due to the fact that it runs at ~170F

IIRC operating temp on these is 195F

I replaced the thermostat as the old one was sticking and not opening till 220F

In it now is a 195F thermostat

I know the t/c lockup works because with the old t-stat when it got to 195F or higher it would lock up properly.

I'm thinking the fuel consumption is possibly from not going into closed loop because it is not warm enough.

By high fuel consumption I mean about 7 mpg city.


What could cause it to run at too low of a temperature? It warms up to ~170F quickly enough (few minutes with ambient temp ~20F)


Ideas?

 

Possible air pocket at the coolant temp sensor.
Bad 195 thermostat, stuck open. Have read several times about new parts not working.
Damaged coolant temp sensor connector due to replacing thermostat.

Just ideas......

 

I'm kinda leaning towards bad t-stat... don't know though...

 

If I were you Id go to the junkyard and pull a thermostat (best one of the bunch) at most of yards they only charge a couple bucks for a used thermostat and just check what it does with it. Either it'll do the same thing as what your new thermo is doing and not heating up and you know it's something else. Or if the used thermo is bad then itll heat her up and the torque converter will work right (until you shut it off before blowing the head).

-or-

You could let her run in the driveway and every couple minutes lightly touch the coolant hoses, if before and after the thermostat are heating up at the same rate then you know your thermostat is staying open for whatever reason.

Just my non-mechanic trained 2 pence.

 

Took the t stat out and tested it (put it in a pot of water with a thermometer)

opened at 165F

replaced with another new thermostat. T/C lockup works, will know about the fuel mileage once I drive it some.

yet another case of a brand new part being faulty. they don't make stuff like they used to...

 

Happened to me twice! Once with an alternator for my parents old Sentra (rebuilt of course and worked for about a month) and then a supposedly brand new/not rebuilt water pump for my Ranger.