Water temp from the ECU ; reliable ?

[cobrAA]

Hey guys,

Can I rely on the water-temp given by the ECU? Where does it take his source from?

[BrianV8]

There are 2 sensors side by side. The 2 pin sensor is meant for the ecu. It controls the cold enrichment. The second is just a single pin sensor and thats for the gauge in your car. As far as accuracy i've compared it with an aftermarket gauge. What you stock gauge says is proper operating temp is actually a range of 40 degrees. Aprox 190 to 230 degrees. They are not linear gauges. I went aftermarket so i know exactly what my temp is all the time.

[Skym]

I noticed when at halfway on stock gauge, it's 66 degrees C on stock ECU. Slightly above halfway on stock gauge is around 80 degrees C on stock ECU (where it should be at idle).

If can find a tablet or car PC, can use Nistune digital gauges for coolant temps, AFM voltage, battery voltage, knock count, AFM voltage, etc. Similar to R34 GTR MFD in centre console, but can change ECU tune, run a wideband (digital gauge?), etc.

[cobrAA]

exactly. I connected something similar to nistune to y car and I got water temps.. so instead of wasting money on a water temp sensor ( additionnal), I would just get a oil temp sensor.

[beacher1B0]

For the price, put a new OEM temp sender for the ecu in for a piece of mind as well.

[cobrAA]

do they really still sell it ? HAHAH I would be surprise if they do.

[DarkCaporaL]

You can still buy most OEM parts new from Nissan. I would be surprised if they didn't.

[BrianV8]

the ecu temp sensors so rarely have an issue its not even worth your time or money IMO.

[cobrAA]

I can't have 2 temp sender hooked to my unit.. so either I go oil temp or water temp. Considering the ecu already have water temp, I thought its better to have oil temps and let say a 80% reliable water temp reading than having a 100% reliable water temp but no oil temp measure at all.

Am I wrong?

[BrianV8]

I think it would depend on the application, I have both gauges and i've found the oil temp follows the coolant temp very closely, oil does not go crazy high while coolant stays the same or visa versa. On a track car i would advise having both just for piece of mind. Street car rarely on a track i would say go coolant temp.