Temperature gauge problem

[andyf]

Hopefully a nice easy one for someone, my temperature gauge has died. Over the last twelve months or so it has at times not worked but a wiggle of the spade connector on the sender solved it, but not this time. I have cut the wire back about 1/2 inch and fitted a new connector, but nothing.

Using a standard cheapy multimeter, how would I go about testing the sender, or what else do you think could be the issue, and again, how to test it?

Thanks folks.

[darrellw]

There is a good write up on the sender here:

http://www.team.net/TR8/tr8cca/wedgelab ... sender.htm

It should give you some idea of the resistance the sender should be showing at various temps.

[FI Spyder]

Take the sender out and measure on the ohm scale at different temperatures of water in a container. The figures are in OEM manual. When I bought my car the temp gauge was at zero on the 900 miles drive back in 90 degree heat (I was a little nervous after reading about overheating). I replaced the sender and all was good since (just a little above quarter in all conditions).

[skertonman]

I recall many moons ago, to do a quick check to see if was gauge or sender, hold the sender unit wire to ground (engine block) with the ignition on, and if the gauge went all the way to hot, then it was the sender unit at fault, and if not then it was the gauge.

Sounds a bit complicated testing for various resistances.

[andyf]

That's more like it, nice and simple (like me). I shall try that first, thanks.

[stevie_a]

Sorry Andy just seen this, yeah as said put ignition on and put wire to block, get someone to look at the gauge and watch if it goes up to hot.

If it does you can get a sender unit from Robsport or S&S or for easiness on E-bay for £6.90

Here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221908876365? ... EBIDX%3AIT


.

[FI Spyder]

That's a quick binary solution to see if the sender is not working at all or if it is working (maybe just kind of). It doesn't tell you if the slope is right (the signal sent to the gauge) so you get the right needle action to indicate the temperature of the coolant (assuming the gauge is working right).

[andyf]

Sadly it`s not the sender, I have a spare instrument binnacle so will swap the gauge next and see if that sorts it.

[andyf]

Sorry I completely forgot to close this. It was indeed a faulty gauge, nice and easy fix, thanks for all the help.