Yet another temp gauge question

[Michael4]

I've had a look on the Wiki and tried search but not found what I am looking for...

Everything is working, thermostat opens, heater works, no flashing lights etc. However...the temp gauge needle lies hidden to the left of the gauge and only starts to appear on the left hand corner of the 'cold' segment when the engine is properly at temp. From time to time it drops out of the segment and back down a bit. So yes, it is sort of working but no, it is not getting anywhere close to the position it sat at when the van went to bed before lockdown.

Does this sound like an earthing problem, a sensor problem or a gauge problem? I understand that I can test the gauge by putting its lead to earth and watching the gauge go hopefully to hot.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

[Mocki]

Almost definitely the actual gauge I would say .

[Michael4]

Thanks for the response.

I've just pulled the plug at the sensor, leads are one black/purple and one black. Turned on the ignition (but didn't start the engine) and nowt happened on the temp gauge. Petrol gauge is behaving.

This seems to fit with your diagnosis.

I don't know my way around the back the gauges, is there a link I could follow?

Absolutely bog standard late '85 early '86 manual DG with minimum dashboard features!

[Mocki]

There is plenty of info on the temp gauge on here , just searching "temp gauge"
Gave many pages , you may have to trawl through .....