High temp warning light?

[4wdchico]

Was reading an old post and there was a ref to a high temp warning light (htwl). Since warning lights are supposed to come on when key on engine off, and then go off when key on engine running I suppose my htwl is burned out. If I have one, that is. I have an ' 85 SR5 Terc 4wd, which position is the htwl on the inst. cluster?

[ARCHINSTL]

This should only be on the cars with an AT.
Tom M.

[Typrus]

All mine have a light that says TEMP. Comes on once you're already so hot you've probably hurt something.

[ARCHINSTL]

This is interesting - my '85 and '86 OMs mention that the light is only for cars with ATs, for overheating AT fluid / engine overheating (the latter to presumably save the AT from frying should the radiator overheat).
I just did the "warning light check" procedure - same in both OMs - and no "Heat" light came on?
Any other way to check to see if this is accurate?
I don't think I've ever read of anyone who experienced overheating mentioning this "Heat" light - did I just miss it?

The FSM states that this light is for ATs only. It does give a testing procedure. It would then appear that AT cars have three water temp sensors: The radiator temp, the emissions temp, plus the "overheat" temp. Plus, of course, one buried somewhere in the AT itself, which also activates the "Heat" light. Accurate?

Boy, if there is actually one for MTs - wonder if there was one for '83 models when my Beloved Sister fried the head of my T4WD in '85? I will kill her anew if she paid -0- attention not only to the gauge but also to a freakin' light!
Tom M.

[Typrus]

All my Terc's have 2 sensors in the head. One in the water outlet, and one in the front of the heat. Then the fan switch in the rad.

[ARCHINSTL]

Same with mine (I checked an old pix of my '83's engine).
Since the car will not display the "HEAT" warning light when the procedure in the OMs state that it should display ALL lights (save the "door" and "low fuel" lights), how did you determine that the MTs have this feature?
Tom M.

[Typrus]

I've seen the TEMP light before in them. Can't remember exactly when to be honest.... Never HEAT. Not even the 85 shows HEAT. Does show TEMP though.


EDIT - Sorry, Typrus. I should have specified "TEMP." A rose by any other name sometimes ain't a rose...
I will have to test it again, as my curiosity is piqued.
Tom M.

[splatterdog]

According to the wiring diagrams you have either the EL or temp light. So that would make it auto's only.

[Typrus]

My Terc's never had an EL light? Only 4wd? The 84 in the inclinometer, the 86 on the right hand side of the cluster if'n I remember right..

[Neu]

The EL light, for the manuals, is on the left side of the cluster, maybe one light down. Big and orange, says EL on it. couldn't possibly miss it.

[Typrus]

Mine don't have it >.< lol. Somebody at the factory was half asleep or something? lol

[Neu]

shine a flashlight on it, maybe you have a blown bulb or something, that's really weird.

[Typrus]

I did. 87 has EL and no temp. 86's cluster has TEMP and no EL. 84 is TEMP and no EL. 85 is the auto and obviously no EL. lol...
Oddness runs rampant...

[Neu]

weird.my 85 has the EL and no temp.

[4wdchico]

I guess I'll just have to pull my inst panel some time and check it out to know for sure...