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How/Where could we install a coolant temperature sender for an aftermarket gauge?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by NorCal PiP, Jul 26, 2020.

  1. NorCal PiP

    NorCal PiP Junior Member

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    There are certainly others who will know better than me about where we could mount a temperature sender for an aftermarket ICE engine coolant gauge. I am having a damaged motor replaced with a JDM. In the process, everything will be accessible.

    Where would the best location be? Searched the forum and can not find anything about anyone ever putting in a coolant temp gauge.

    Edit: Please note that I did not ask about running an "app".
     
    #1 NorCal PiP, Jul 26, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2020
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  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    You don't want to try Torque Pro or Hybrid Assistant that use already existing technology?
     
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  3. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

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    Like Ray says, get an app that reads temperature and dozens of other parameters from the OBD plug. A ScanGuage is a good choice for a permanent display. Plug it in and watch your 4 favorite digital gauges while you drive.
     
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  4. NorCal PiP

    NorCal PiP Junior Member

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    Not going to happen, guys. The car is used by multiple drivers. Primarily stepdaughter and spouse. Expecting my stepdaughter or spouse to faithfully run an app on their iPhones and monitor coolant temps or anything else won't happen. I want to put in a quality gauge like I use in my track cars. AEM X series 30-0302 or similar. Gauge will immediately set off warning lights when a temperature limit is breached.

    As for running an app on a smart phone, I can think of a ton of reasons that is a particularly useless suggestion for something as critical and terminal to this fragile engine as a failed electric water pump and the near immediate disaster that failure creates. A dedicated gauge that is armed an ready at all times is what I am looking for. Not an app.
     
  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    If a working motor is put in, not sure why would you need to keep an eye on temp at all times unless it’s prone to overheat again. But then more hidden information will probably be revealed once I posted this, like the no app!!! haha.
     
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  6. Merkey

    Merkey Active Member

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    That's what I do.
     
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  7. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    For a matter of preference, some drivers like gauges. You've seen them built either on the dashboard, under the dashboard or, along the window seam on the drivers side. When you have a gauge, its on, all the time, ready for you to read it. Some people like it this way. I can see it either way, but, coming from old school, I like gauges. For us old schoolers, we think about gauges the same way we look and think about the speedometer. We need it on, all the time, ready to look at it.
     
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  8. NorCal PiP

    NorCal PiP Junior Member

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    I think that putting in a hose adapter like this one would get the temp from the return water before it gets to the radiator. You guys, I am not going to "monitor" the gauge. it will be 'noticed" by wifey and daughter sometimes. But not much. The purpose of the AEM gauge is the warning lights that goes into near strobe mode should the water pump fail. They would know to stop the car. Halting the destruction of a blown head gasket and expensive repairs

     
  9. NorCal PiP

    NorCal PiP Junior Member

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    I should not say I won't use an app. "They" just have not come up with the one I have in mind. The app should automatically ping the ever living hell out of the driver's phone when it detects a spike in the water temperature to dangerous levels. Doesn't matter that they are talking, texting, navigating, Spotify, Twittering, Facetiming and any number of other things that drivers seem to do when they are driving. The moment that electric driven water pump fails or any other water temp issues happen and the temps skyrocket I want a friggin app to start emergency notification of whoever the hell is driving the car to know right then and there. Not driving round trip 90 miles to work for a day or two and the head gasket is warped to hell and back and you are burning as much coolant as fuel. Until then a quality temp gauge with a flashing LED panel that gets your attention is the only option that I am aware of. That is not old school, new school, it just is the only option to have a warning.
     
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  10. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    A gauge is new school?

    :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Someone raised virtually the same question recently. The discussion was very similar. I really wish there was a way to get through to Toyota; most any econobox has a coolant temp gauge in the dash, or used to. Maybe a thing of the past??
     
  12. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Yeah, that data is already in the canbus system so you just need to access it. App is the easiest but as in your case not the best way. I use my old scangauge II but there are newer cheaper variants out there. Search "OBD water temperature" and you'll get results such as this:

    "supported Vehicles -- For petrol vehicle with standard OBD-II protocol, especially for vehicle without water temperature gauge"



    and



    GOOD LUCK!
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I had problems with a constantly connected ScanGauge, "check hybrid system" alerts and return to defaults brakes. Had to discontinue. YMMV.
     
  14. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I wished, and feel every car should have at LEAST a Temp gauge. But also an oil pressure gauge.
    It would only add less than $10-20, maybe less, to the cost of making the car....
     
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  15. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Have you tried updating the SG firmware?
     
  16. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Pretty much. They've been selling the Prius for how long and it's only generated this little demand for adding a gauge? Clearly the car doesn't need it.

    Don't get me wrong, I like them, and I think @NorCal PiP should probably pay attention to the temperature of the coolant coming out of the heater core back to the engine- my vote for appropriate sampling point, anyway.
     
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  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    No I haven't, that's a thought.

    Still, mechanic at dealership had Techstream hooked up (with last Check Hybrid System event), and noted when he jiggled the obd cable he was getting drop outs. Seems like constant weight of a cable on tha port was the culprit. Years later sans SG bears that out: no further problems.

    Coolant temp data is being monitored by the car, and I think it would be relatively trivial (for Toyota) to add a coolant display. Would be a feature that would attract me.

    Remember driving our daughter-in-law's Sunfire to Costco for a flat repair once, muttering "even this sh*t-box has a temp gauge...".
     
  18. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    This how we all rolled back in the day. Oil pressure gauge and temperature gauge was the norm. Course, our cars were in need of these due to the type of upgrades done on our cars and the like.
     
  19. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    It would be too distracting to look at critical gauges while driving because we’re trying to send text messages and drink coffee while keeping hands on 10 and 2. A Recipe for disaster if you ask me
     
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