Am I hot? Just general help, new vett owner

[caddy]

I just purchased a 94 vette with a 6-speed and I'm not sure if I'm overheating or not, my temp gauge is up around 260 (I know that's to hot) but on my digital readout I getting around 215? I'm not sure which one is right? What should the Coolant Temp be? and where the digital readout is I'm getting a "Cool F" indication? I'm so confused. HELP!
Secondly now when I turn the key all I get is a "CLICK" is this the starter? When I let it roll out of my driveway and Pop the clutch
it fires right up?
also I raised the hood and the lights for seeing the engine at night are not hooked up, the wiring is there but I don't know where to plug them in? HELP! and so far last but not least my A/C Compresser and Fan are not working, I realize that's a lot but any suggestions on where to start would be great, I checked some of the fuses but no luck..............Thanks in advance for the help......
Caddy

 

[Tuna]

My 92 has a little sticker on the lower right side of the dash that says that the analog gauges are not 'linear devices' and to check the owners manual. Basically, I believe the digital info first.

However, a 260 water temp reading is way too high on the analog gauge. Probably a bug there somewhere but with the digital reading 215, you're probably okay.

Starter/solenoid?

There are 2 connectors for the lights - one on each side in the compartment in front of the front wheels. Follow the hood light wires down into those areas and look for a disconnected plug above the turn signal light housing. Also, there is a single fuse for the lights in the left front above the turn signal housing. Again, follow the wiring and find that fuse housing. If the plugs are connected, it's probably the fuse. Replace the fuse.

A/C - no clue here.

Hope this helps.

 

[Eagle85C4]

There is a cover over the radiator, remove it and be ready to be surprised at all the junk in between the radiator and the A/C condenser. That is usually a major source of temp problems. Take cap off of radiator and look inside the best you can, the introduction of tap water tends to help clog the radiator with lime deposits. And lastly you may have to remove the thermostat and chack and or replace it. Drain the system and replace with a 50/50 solution of antifreeze and distilled water. And check the waterpump for and signs of leakage, you will have to get a small mirror and look up under the pump pully to check the "weep" hole. If there is any sign of leakage, a small trail of green, it is time to replace the water pump. Any one of these suggestion or all collectivly should return you to normal temps...

The clicking could be the battery or starter or both. Almost any parts store can put a check on the battery for you. If the battery checks out then I would suspect the starter. You might try having someone try to start the car while you tap on it with a hammer. Lay down along side the car on the passenger side and just behind the front wheel look over and up and you will see the starter. Tap and or hit the starter while trying to start, if it starts then replace starter, if not replace it anyway.
On your A/C...due to the EPA Clean Air Act part 608 you have to be a certified tech by the EPA to do any work on the a/c system. This is per Federal regulations, the price of getting caught is 25,000.00 per incident. And it is also a felony. Take it to a responsible shop for diagnosis and repair. Better safe then sorry...good luck.

 

[BlackNBlue95]

There is a cover over the radiator, remove it and be ready to be surprised at all the junk in between the radiator and the A/C condenser. That is usually a major source of temp problems. Take cap off of radiator and look inside the best you can, the introduction of tap water tends to help clog the radiator with lime deposits. And lastly you may have to remove the thermostat and chack and or replace it. Drain the system and replace with a 50/50 solution of antifreeze and distilled water. And check the waterpump for and signs of leakage, you will have to get a small mirror and look up under the pump pully to check the "weep" hole. If there is any sign of leakage, a small trail of green, it is time to replace the water pump. Any one of these suggestion or all collectivly should return you to normal temps...

This is a good suggestion, I just cleaned a radiator/box on a CorvetteForum members 89' and fan temps went down 10 degrees and oil pressusre went up slightly. So that is a good suggestion to check for air flow restrictions and for coolant level. but however if the two gauge readings are differing I am thinking that there is an electrical issue at hand but I would still check for leaf build up anyhow because it's a good preventative maintainence. if anyone out here in IL needs there radiator cleaned or checked out let me know.
-Rick

 

[vader86]

Ditto on cleaning the front of the radiator, it will be full of trash. Go ahead and flush the whole system out and refill, remember to burp the system adequately.

You may wish to install a 160F thermostat, but it would be better to have the fans come on earlier which you could do with a fan switch or a Hypercrap PP.

 

[c4cruiser]

A failing battery or alternator will usually result in a "SYS" flashing message at the bottom of the digital display. You didn't say what voltage reading you see once the engine has been running for a few minutes. A good alternator and battery should show voltage reading around 13.7 to 14.1 or 14.2 with little load (no headlights, A/C not running). The starting problem sounds more like a solenoid or starter rather than battery. Have the battery checked with a load test to be sure.

Not familiar with a "Cool F" display on the dash! When does this appear?? When you toggle the display to water temp, does it display when the engine is cold? I wonder if this means that the COOLing Fans are not running? Both fans are controlled by the ECM when it sees certain coolant temp values, oil temp values or whether or the A/C head pressure is at a certain level. If the A/C is not working, I would suspect the latter.

If you do see even any tiny amount of seepage at the bottom of the water pump, get it fixed IMMEDIATELY!! Coolant dripping down on the Opti-Spark wil cause it to fail and it is big bucks to get that repaired.

 

[Eagle85C4]

I surmise the COOL F reading to stipulate that it is reading the coolant value as Farenheit versus Celsius.

The alternator does not come into play at this point. Check the battery...then check the starter.