'95 Heater

Does anyone know what the calibration is on the temperature gauge on a '95
SL2.
The gauge rarely reads above 1/4 and usually stays below 1/4 when the car is
in motion.
When idle, the gauge will go up to 1/2 but will quickly drop to below 1/4
when in motion.
The reason I ask is that the heater does not really seem to put out as much
heat as I would expect.
With the outside temp. around 35-40deg. and the car in motion the temp from
the duct is only about 85-90 deg. When in idle and the temp gauge is at 1/2
the duct temp is about 120deg.
Does this seem normal or should I suspect the thermostat is stuck open? or
that the heater core is clogged? ( wonder what it will be when the outside
air temp is down near 0 )
Seems that on other cars that I have owned the duct temp stays pretty
constant at around 120deg.
Does the Saturn temp run really that much cooler?
Just curious what the temp scale on the dash really indicates as far as
temp.
Any comments?

Jerry

 

JJ ,

I would replace the thermostat that the dealer will claim never goes
bad ( the A-holes )....I paid for a saturn thermostat while the piece
of trash was under warrenty after the dealer denied it was the problem
, problem instantly fixed after I replaced it until about 3 years
later . Same problem , same solution etc...

I will fix or scrap my saturn garbage, sell it and buy a toyota truck
( that is not throwaway like Saturns )

ASE certified, and am THROUGH with Saturns !!!!!

 

I have a '95 Saturn too, with exactly the problem described by JJ. So I
took Tim's advice and replaced the thermostat. The gauge reads half-way now
and I have what seems to be twice the heat from the heater than I had
before.

Fourtunately it's fixed just in time for winter.

P. Wiebe

 

Going to replace the thermostat in the next few days after I get the system
cleaned out real good.
Question, did you use a Saturn part or an aftermarket?
Tempted to use a Stant brand (190deg.) available from Advance Auto rather
than one from Saturn as the nearest Saturn dealer is about 50mi.
Any thoughts?

JJ

I have a '95 Saturn too, with exactly the problem described by JJ. So I
took Tim's advice and replaced the thermostat. The gauge reads half-way now
and I have what seems to be twice the heat from the heater than I had
before.

Fourtunately it's fixed just in time for winter.

P. Wiebe

 

I installed a MotoRad p/n 324-185. I can't give any recommendation one way
or the other as to whether a Saturn part is better or not because I just
installed it. However, it is doing the job right now though. If I were you
I'd save the trip and pick up what's closest. It's probably cheaper too.

P.Wiebe

 

I'll try the Stant from Advance Auto on Thurs and post the results.
Thanks
Jerry



I installed a MotoRad p/n 324-185. I can't give any recommendation one way
or the other as to whether a Saturn part is better or not because I just
installed it. However, it is doing the job right now though. If I were you
I'd save the trip and pick up what's closest. It's probably cheaper too.

P.Wiebe

 

Changed thermostat with 192deg. from Federated Auto Parts.
Temp gauge runs at 1/2 scale now and heater is very warm 130deg air from
vent.
As long as it doesn't overheat this summer, I'll be a happy camper!!!

Jerry



I'll try the Stant from Advance Auto on Thurs and post the results.
Thanks
Jerry



I installed a MotoRad p/n 324-185. I can't give any recommendation one way
or the other as to whether a Saturn part is better or not because I just
installed it. However, it is doing the job right now though. If I were you
I'd save the trip and pick up what's closest. It's probably cheaper too.

P.Wiebe