Do I have the correct temp sensor? (83 westy 1.9dg)

[Swordfish93]

My temp gauge is being irratic. I will just start my van and it will show overheating. Or sometimes it won't turn on at all. I think my temp sensor needs replacing and the one I have doesn't look like any replacments I have found. Which is the correct one for a 83 westy 1.9dg? Photo for ref

[R0B]

Your photobucket link does not work.

[Swordfish93]

Fixed it I think

[R0B]

Does it look like this?

[Swordfish93]

Nope not at all

[Aidan]

Rob you are showing the late set up with the plastic thermostat housing

the correct one for an '83 DG with the thermostat housing at the pulley end of the engine is part number 049 919 501, 1 pin sensor black plastic body, earth is via the metal pipework

what the op is describing is could well be a wiring issue - need to check the resistance of the sensor - if it is knackered and reading continuity to earth then the gauge will go to max - intermittent readings are usually caused by issue at the dash, but could be damage to the wiring in the engine bay

tracking down these sort of faults is time consuming, but easy, only requiring a cheap multimeter and an understanding of how to use it to test for resitance and continuity, but may require multiple checks through the wiring

op/or his/her auto electrician needs to have a wiring diagram to understand how it all connects, most can be downloaded as pdf from Syncrosport or Sir adventure websites, Haynes manual is better than nothing but simplified and missing some detail

[Swordfish93]

Thank you so much. I just wired in a new dash with the SHC pcb kit so I don't think it is the dash leading me to think the actual sensor. The connection to the sensor also looks corroded so I'm just gonna swap it out since it's the wrong one anyway.

[Aidan]

its a variable resistor so corrosion of the terminal/wiring can affect the accuracy of the reading, you may need to re-terminate the wiring, but in the first instance some contact cleaner and physical cleaning may help, maybe tighten the spade terminal a little too and cable tie the wiring so there is no tension or vibration affecting it