temp. gauge barely moves
 

On my 96 century, the temperature gauge hardly moves when the engine is running and I know the coolant is hot. How can I troubleshoot this? Is it the dash gauge or the sending unit? I hope it's not the dash gauge. I can't imagine myself taking that dash apart.
If it is the sending unit, is it easy to take out? Thanks, Ed

Does the car have the 3100? I'm not familiar with that year, but I think there should be a coolant temp sensor. It might have failed, or the wiring may have corroded.

Believe they had a few engine options till we got shafted in 97 to a single option. Remember reading somewhere they had a few different style sensors for temp. Newer one made the gauges less aggressive to the actual temps preventing people from freaking out about 220*F coolant temps. Should be on the t stat housing just under the throttle if it's the "Muscular 3100" power plant. You able to read temps of the coolant to verify the T stat isn't stuck open? Was your MPG different from normal.

Hi guys,
speaking of engine temps, have you had a chance to check out the problems Buicks were having withe Dexcool in the cooling system ? Should be able to find the info in google re; intake plenum problems with Buicks using Dexcool coolant.

Thanks for the input, guys. I have the 3100 engine, runs beautifully, gas mpg normal.
Is there a good repair manual out there that would cover this problem? Ed

I have the Haynes #19010 which is the 97 and up but it's a mashup between the century and regal since they are the same platform. Your book should be century specific since they were separate then. Price is between $15-$27 depending on which cahin or online source you get it. I have no clue what they may have changed besides the HP rating. I did see a few differences between 97 and 98 with the heater hose leaving the T stat housing. Mine is suppose to be threaded but it's a slip in like the 3400 and newest 3100.

Vid for the T Stat on 3100-3400

The sensor is near his thumb in the screenshot of the video above. another thing to ask is is there scale on the sensor insulating it from the actual temp of the coolant?

Thanks for the video. Really cool. Ed

I took a pic of the book if it's that same for your engine this is the location below the throttle body. You still have to drain the coolant to remove that cause coolant will drain it's self if you pull it out as is.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...6/e761db61.jpg

On another site, a guy suggested running a wire from the green slot on the connector plug to a ground on the engine. With ignition key in the ON position, but engine off, the gauge should go all the way up. Which means the wiring and gauge are O.K. Ed