HELP! Temperature Gauge Problem.

[CNDC]

Ok so lately my temperature gauge has been going haywire.

It never goes up more then 1/4th way. Also after I take about a 10-15 minute trip, which normally warms the engine up fully, and come back to start the car. The gauge reads at mid way which is normal, but when i start driving it again the needle starts to go down and it somewhat struggles to go back up? I think one of my grounds are messed up, but im not sure. Does anyone else have this problem? or have an answer? I drive a 97 with about 156,000 miles.

Help would be appreciated thanks.

[s13_gearhead]

Check the Coolant Temp Sensor on the intake manifold. It's located on the front of the manifold near the water neck from the radiator. Check to ensure a nice, clean connection. If you want to get fancy, you can put an ohmeter on the connection. At 140 degrees F it should read approx. 70-90 ohms of resistance. At 212 degrees F it should read apporx. 21-24 ohms. Thus, the reading on the gauge is based on the resistance of the thermal transmitter (the sensor on the manifold). You can get one of these for about 35 bucks at Autozone.

[projectRDM]

And do not even try and use that bad ground theory. You're subscribing to the Zilvia school of fucking retards using that shit.

[IngS14]

ah this is what you talking about right? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SR20DET-S13-S14-SILVIA-180SX-OEM-WATER-TEMP-SENSOR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33603QQihZ011QQi temZ320052706340