Questions and Answers
318i Temperature Gauge
Q. 1989 Cadillac El Dorado Automatic Trans 146,000 miles I have been told that I need a transmission cooler. I have a transmission leak (doesn't pour out, but a medium size spot after sitting over the weekend and small spots after sittng over nite) at the very front of the car. I have a couple of questions... First I've been told that it could cost $500.00 - 700.00 to replace the trans cooler..does this sound to be about the right price for this repair? If I do not get this fixed immediately (a slight problem with that much money..since I also need a right inner tie rod end which is going to be about 200.00 and just had a 350.00 brake job done!!!)...and keep a check on the fluid and keep it full, will I be ok for a while?? It actually has been leaking for some time now...How much trans fluid would this car hold? Thank you so much in advance for your help on this!!!
A. There's two possibilities here. the coolant Temperature sensor in shorted out, (most likely) or the dash gauge is bad. If you unplug the wire to the sensor it should read full cold. When you ground it, it should rise smoothly to full hot. If it does, then it's a bad sensor. If not, dash gauge is bad.
There is another possibility if the instrument cluster was taken out recently. The problem can be caused by the countersunk screws that are used to attach the instrument cluster assembly to the dashboard. There are four lower screws on the cluster. The two inner screws (B 2.9 x 9.5) should never be interchanged with the two outer screws (B 2.9 x 16), or damage to the circuit board will occur.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
