Temperature problem on Mazda 323

[david151]

I just got this car for my girlfriend and when looking at the car it has no belt to control the radiator fans so am guessing this is electronic with a sensor in the radiator? The problem is when it is idling the fans obviously don't spin and my temperature gauge in the car seems to read zero almost all the time. At first it may rise a little when first driving off, however for 99% of the journey it reads zero. So I am guessing the sensor has gone? Not being able to monitor the temperature is a real worry as I have no idea that the fans have kicked in and everything is cooling as it should.


Does anyone know if the temperature gauge reading zero for 99% of the journey is normal? From my research it seems to have a water temp sensor on the side of the engine, however is there anything else that I should swap out? What about in the radiator are there any sensors there?

Any help would be much appreciated as I know nothing about these cars.

Many thanks
Dave

[ch427]

id change the thermostat first, if its stuck open then the engine will overcool. its the cheapest place to start, if the temperature does not rise to a certain point the fans wont cut in.

[david151]

Thanks CH427 for your reply. As suggested I swapped out the thermostat and am also swapping out the temperature sensor and have a query regarding this. Here is a copy of my other post on this:

I went to change the temperature sensor today (I also changed the thermostat) on a Mazda 323 1997 1.5l hatchback. the reason being is that the temperature gauge is almost constantly reading zero. I removed what I think is the sensor from the location shown with the red arrow:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/201/sensorloc...

When I took this out water leaked from here so I presume this is the correct thing? Anyway the problem is I ordered another sensor from GSF and when it arrived it is only 2 pin and looks slightly different from the one removed. Please see the following pictures:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/21888854.j...
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/14/63968144.j...

As you can see the original black sensor is only 2 pin and the new green one 3 pin. Also the endings look slightly different and although the thread is the same pitch the old thread looks slightly longer. I then phoned GSF to enquire about this and they said the only thing showing for my vehicle was a 2 pin and not a 3 pin. As such I am really confused. I would be grateful if someone could look at the pictures and tell me if the part I removed from the engine is the correct thing or is it a GSF mistake?

Many thanks

[david151]

Thanks CH427 for your reply. As suggested I swapped out the thermostat and am also swapping out the temperature sensor and have a query regarding this. Here is a copy of my other post on this:

I went to change the temperature sensor today (I also changed the thermostat) on a Mazda 323 1997 1.5l hatchback. the reason being is that the temperature gauge is almost constantly reading zero. I removed what I think is the sensor from the location shown with the red arrow:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/201/sensorloc...

When I took this out water leaked from here so I presume this is the correct thing? Anyway the problem is I ordered another sensor from GSF and when it arrived it is only 2 pin and looks slightly different from the one removed. Please see the following pictures:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/21888854.j...
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/14/63968144.j...

As you can see the original black sensor is only 2 pin and the new green one 3 pin. Also the endings look slightly different and although the thread is the same pitch the old thread looks slightly longer. I then phoned GSF to enquire about this and they said the only thing showing for my vehicle was a 2 pin and not a 3 pin. As such I am really confused. I would be grateful if someone could look at the pictures and tell me if the part I removed from the engine is the correct thing or is it a GSF mistake?

Many thanks

[Athlon]

pics dont load...

[david151]

Here they are:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/21888854.j...
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/14/63968144.j...
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/201/sensorloc...

Many thanks

[HustleRussell]

I suspect this is a GSF error. It looks like the sensor you have been supplied with was designed to fit into the same threaded hole in the cylinder head but a different wiring loom. I suggest you try Mazda instead, armed with the car's chassis number.. It might be 50% more expensive but it'll be correct and OEM quality.

[david151]

Thanks for the reply

Are you saying that the picture of the part I have taken out is definitely the temp sensor, as when I queried on the telephone that the new part they had supplied me with was only 2 pins they said that 3 pins is normally the switch that turns on the fans. So this is why I am so confused. Is the part I have taken out a switch for the fans or is it the temp sensor and a GSF error?

Many thanks

[HustleRussell]

Not saying 'definitely' anything! My post said you should check with Mazda using your chassis number and any part numbers you have.
I know a bit about cars in general and how to fix my own, but I've never worked on a Mazda 323.

ETA: I'd normally expect the fan switch to have 2 terminals and to be fitted to the radiator. The engine temp sensor is normally in the thermostat housing or water rail.

Edited by HustleRussell on Tuesday 28th August 23:37

[david151]

Thanks Hustle for your reply. I check with Mazda this morning and the part I took out is the temp sensor and the one they have listed does have 3 pins so it looks like a GSF mistake. I then checked a few other aftermarket places and they all list the 2 pin for my vehicle so there is obviously and error with their catalogue. Do these places all use the same computer database?

Anyway I have now ordered from Mazda and it will be here tomorrow morning. Not sure about 50% more expensive as it is £50 opposed to £8 from GSF which I think is daylight robbery.

Many thanks
Dave