Tacoma temp gauge

[jdb]

First let me state I have the mechanical knowledge of a turnip so of my question is dumb or I use the wrong terms Bare with me. I have an 03 Tacoma 3.4 liter v6, the temp gauge seems to be not working. It’s not over heating and the heater still blows warm so I’ve ruled out the thermostat (?). My next guess is the gauge? I hate to pay dealer prices plus the local Toyota dealership has a bit of a bad rap. Should I take it to a regular mechanic or one that specializes in electric? Thanks !

[KFhunter]

Sending unit.


https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/engine-sensors---emissions/engine-sensors/coolant-temperature-sensor-sender-switch/aec49c4ca931/v/a/8223/automotive-truck-2003-toyota-tacoma

[Woodchuck]

Sending unit

Certainly more likely but no joke on that truck. You also have 2 temp sensors on that rig, one for the ECU and one for the gauge, be sure you know which one you go after. 

[Fl0und3rz]

First let me state I have the mechanical knowledge of a turnip so of my question is dumb or I use the wrong terms Bare with me. I have an 03 Tacoma 3.4 liter v6, the temp gauge seems to be not working. It’s not over heating and the heater still blows warm so I’ve ruled out the thermostat (?). My next guess is the gauge? I hate to pay dealer prices plus the local Toyota dealership has a bit of a bad rap. Should I take it to a regular mechanic or one that specializes in electric? Thanks !

Not bad for a turnip.

[TommyH]

Im no help on this, my fuel gauge/4x4 light/ and rpms are not functioning, (came this way) have only ran out of fuel once so far lol. Haven’t really looked into it yet.

[full choke]

Great, now you guy's are going to get that Tacoma hater guy all fired up again...

[TommyH]

 

[jdb]

Great, now you guy's are going to get that Tacoma hater guy all fired up again...

I almost didn’t post because of him!

[millerwheeler]

Great, now you guy's are going to get that Tacoma hater guy all fired up again...

I almost didn’t post because of him!

Made me laugh thinking about that fella , I’d agree on sending unit the chance the cluster failed is pretty slim but a wrecking yard or eBay is the place to go for that

[jdb]

I’m taking it to a mechanic tomorrow

[KFhunter]

I’m taking it to a mechanic tomorrow

Have him check the frame.

[Fl0und3rz]

[jdb]

what he said!

[thinkingman]

Great, now you guy's are going to get that Tacoma hater guy all fired up again...

I almost didn’t post because of him!

More unfounded speculation from a guy that knows a thing or two about Toyotas!
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/longer-term-head-gasket-solution-3-4l-117081/

Hi all. I'm Jason. I'm new to the forum here. Nice place! There are a lot of threads on here about head gaskets. I don't claim to have read them all either, so let me know if this take on the issue has been discussed, plz. After having my entire engine rebuilt and coming up with head gasket problems twice (free under warranty) after in 40k miles or so, I'm beginning to wonder if there is a better way to get some more miles from these things. The builder/machine shop says they won't even do Toyota V6's anymore because they just have too many reliability issues after so many miles. They say that to really do it right, you may need to replace the heads with new, fresh aluminum - aluminum that hasn't been softened by the repetitive heat cycles, older heads have gone through. They also suggested stronger head bolts that flex less - maybe Ti material? They also suggested headers to reduce heat. They said that the 3.0 is a little worse off than the 3.4, but generally if i want a reliable V6, get a different truck... like a Nissan which has like 20% or something more bolts fastening down the heads. These guys have done a lot of Toyota motors over the years and many apparently from the local dealership themselves and are believers at this point that Toyota is just stubbornly avoiding a needed redesign of the heads.

Anyway, the question or thought again is, has anyone come up with a reliable means of getting say another 100k+ of solid head gaskets from a rebuilt 3.4 motor?

I really like the truck and want to put a supercharger and exhaust on the truck to give it some needed extra juice, but man, how often will it have to come off for gaskets, ya know...

[Buckhunter24]

 

[thinkingman]

Here's a test and solution.
Maybe buy a non-turnip friend a 6-pack for some help...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/temp-gauge-not-working.646965/

[KFhunter]

Does it involve an ohm meter?