Temp gauge issue

[Africatwin]

Sorry admin. Originally posted in “mechanical” but it’s moved on to an electrical I think.

This is the original post

Evening all.

Newly acquired van again so just fault finding at the moment, first issue I’ve got is the temp sensor. The light comes on and goes off as normal, needle stays at the bottom when ignition is on, once the engine starts it rises really quickly then disappears,
I don’t believe it’s over heating. Coolant looks “ok” so I took a reading from the block and expansion tank. It’s ready between 90 and 95… would this potentially be a faulty sensor?





So I’ve now checked for voltage at the plug lead for the sender and I’ve read I should get 10v from the regulator at this point, but I was getting battery voltage at 11.6 and when I started it I was getting 13.8





So I followed the post on 80-90 about checking the regulator behind the clocks and basically it passed. I got battery voltage then got 9.5v which would indicate it’s working.








Also when I checked the original cluster that I removed to check that regulator I think that some has been here before as it looks like they have soldered the regulator



So I’m wondering where to go or what to try next?

[Africatwin]

Unfortunately I don’t have any time for troubleshooting time today as I’ve got to take the kids out for the day.

But quickly tested the bottom of the 14 pin connector and I am receiving 9.4v so that rules out the clocks and tells me the voltage regulator is working.. so why the hell am I getting battery voltage at the sender end?
Looks like a straight cable to the sender.. so why would the voltage rise

[TwinTurbo]

Also when I checked the original cluster that I removed to check that regulator I think that some has been here before as it looks like they have soldered the regulator

Have you put clocks in from a different year of van? I read somewhere that there are a couple of different dashes and may not be wired the same. 

Rob

[Africatwin]

Also when I checked the original cluster that I removed to check that regulator I think that some has been here before as it looks like they have soldered the regulator

Have you put clocks in from a different year of van? I read somewhere that there are a couple of different dashes and may not be wired the same. 

Rob

The tach I found was from an 89 velle.. so should be compatible if definitely from an 89..

[TwinTurbo]

Best to do a continutiry test from the sensor to the dash. 

Also if you remove the dash do you get 0v at the wire?

[Africatwin]

Issue may be resolved

I’ve just got back and cleaned all the terminals with contact cleaner.. tested V at the temp sender and received 9.9v… put it all back together and went for a 20min drive and the temp gauge is sitting bang in the middle.. I really hope it was a quick fix but I’m never optimistic.

[TwinTurbo]

Fingers Crossed