Temperature gauge reading hot on 96 Honda Passport ???

I have a 96 honda passport with a 3.2L V6. The temperature gauge maxes
out at the hottest point just after about a minute of running. This is
after sitting over night. I have replaced the waterpump, timing belt,
thermostat, flushed the radiator, and replaced the coolant. Yesterday
I took the thermostat out and ran the engine and still the gauge maxes
out after about a minute or two. The darn temperature sensor is
between the engine and the firewall and very had to get to. Does
anyone know what the problem could be? Air pockets, bad sensor, bad
ground ???

 

I would suspect a bad sensor, cause it should at least take a minute or two
for a cold engine to warm up. How about inserting a thermometer into the
radiator through the cap opening and measure the temperature? I guess that
the thermostat might remain close with no water circulating in the radiator
within the first few minutes.

 

Thanks for the response.
I ran the engine for twenty minutes without the thermostat, then
opened the cap and the coolant was warm to the touch. So I know the
coolant is circulating.

 

(colby) sprach im

ONE minute? Bad gauge or sender unit. Probably the sender. Don't know about
your car, but Honda has a habit of installing those with no relay.

And put that thermostat back in. You risk overheating with it removed.

 

Since your coolant temperature is normal with the engine running for 20
minutes, I think you should check the sensor. Maybe you can disconnect the
sensor and see if the guage still moves to the maximum to eliminate the
chance of short circuit in the wiring.

 

I took the connector off of the temperature sensor (switch) and the
gauge stays off (no reading), I replaced the sensor and reconnected
the wire. The gauge still maxes out at hot a couple seconds after I
start the truck. How do I test the gauge, what should the voltage be?
or should I replace it? check wiring?