S14 SR20DET Heater Hose and Coolant Temp Sensor question *Pic included*

[TrustS13]

Hi everyone,

I have recently just swapped a S14 SR20DET into my new 1991 S13 hatch shell. I have a quick question - how do run the heater hoses? Here is what I have fabbed up:
http://i52.tinypic.com/2i052c9.jpg

Just cranked her up yesterday and heat is working fine, awesome. My question arises because my coolant temp on the gauge is not registering properly. I'm not sure if I have an air bubble or a bad coolant temp sensor.

Symptoms: Let car run at an elevated angle for about 20 minutes with heat on full blast. Heater core is obviously full and heat is super hot. Heater hoses set up as above. My coolant temp gauge never moved at all.. So I've got the radiator cap off and am waiting for the thermostat to open. Finally opens and I see the coolant start to steam/flow through my radiator. Motor starts to idle at 1500 rpm (from about 900) and the gauge did move slightly got to the second notch on the gauge. I'm always used to seeing the gauge at the 3rd mark. The harness is a wiring specialties harness, so I don't think their is any wiring issue. I don't have any fans on the engine right now (clutch or e-fan - but will be running altimas).


1. Does this sound like a air pocket?
2. Bad coolant temp sensor(that runs the gauge?)
3. Just drive it up the road and see if it heats up more?

I really don't want to drive it and not know where my coolant temperature is at. I don't have a coolant temp gauge yet, but yes I plan on buying one. Any feedback? Could the way I routed my heater hoses affect this?

Thanks,
Danny

[TrustS13]

Anyone... Bueller?

[NISR20MO]

Yoski broski this Alex from CN. Not too familiar with the SR's but are you sure you don't need to run an S13 SR temp sensor for the guage to read it properly?

The ECU sensor should be fine as I imagine you are running an S14 ECU, correct?

Call up wiring specialties and ask, they could prob tell you for sure.

You can also try another cluster to be sure your guage is good.

Good luck!

[WaWa]

honestly you have the hoses running just fine :) my guess would be that you have a bad sensor because theres no way an air pocket would cause this to happen unless it was a very very large one which i doubt that it is... if you'd like to diagnose this maybe drain all ur coolant out and give it a nice flush and start all over :)

[TrustS13]

Well some updates -

1. Both the ECU and gauge sensor can be used from a KA - but the ECU one you have to check whether you have the circular or square type. I think mine is square type, but I have to verify. I plan on buying a new gauge sensor since they are $11.00 at autozone and will update the thread. May even buy the ECU sensor if mine is the square type.

PS - Called wiring specialties, not sure who I talked to but he was a DICK. I was like "Hey guys, I have a quick question *explain problem with gauge* he cuts me off mid sentance and is like uh why dont you just replace the gauge.. im like well it worked, he was like "look man why would the harness be the issue? if anything, its the sensor.." "ok? bye"

Honestly not impressed with whoever I spoke with, but then again I work for a web solutions company that is known for having exceptional customer service, so I always expect other businesses to do the same. Is it just me or are a lot of people in the car industry that come off as assholes?

[Shift n Drift]

Hoses are fine, get a ka temp sensor and you will be good to go, I had the same problem and it costed my over 2g's

[rb20240sx]

Did you get those hoses from a local pleace like auto zone? I'm doing an sr right now and was wondering. Also You need to block off those ac lines to the evap core. So nothing gets in them.

[TrustS13]

Thanks for the heads up! I got them at advance, one is the stock KA heater hose they sell, the other was one I just matched up to it similar in shape and size. Cost me about 35 dollars if I remember right. I'll do my best to look up the part number but I think I threw the receipt out.