Tracker 4x4 L4-1.6L SOHC TBI (1994)
Temperature Gauge: Description and Operation
CIRCUIT OPERATION
The pointer of the Coolant Temperature Gage is moved by the magnetic fields of two coils. The coils are at right angles to each other. Voltage is
applied to coil II from the IG-COIL METER Fuse. The circuit divides at the opposite (ground) side of the coil. One path seeks a ground through
coil C and the other path seeks a ground through the variable resistor in the coolant temperature sending unit.
When coolant temperature is low, resistance in the coolant temperature sending unit is high. Since current will always seek the path of least
resistance, current will flow through the H coil and the C coil to ground at G200. Because the length of the C coil winding is twice the length of
the coil II winding, the magnetic field generated by coil C is twice as strong as the magnetic field generated by coil H. Therefore, the pointer will
be pulled to the "C" position.
As coolant temperature increases, resistance in the coolant temperature sending unit decreases. Since current will always seek the path of least
resistance, more current will begin to bypass the C coil and travel directly to ground through the coolant temperature sending unit. Under these
conditions, the coil H magnetic field becomes stronger than the coil C magnetic field and the pointer moves toward the "H" position.
