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Water Temp Gauge Install

Fixxxer

By Fixxxer,
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Fixxxer Community Regular

Fixxxer

Posted
Posted

Hey all,

I finally got around to installing my Saber water temp gauge (electrical) and using one of those water temp attachments that go in the top radiator hose.

It has worked fine for about 6-8 trips (probably 3-4 hours of travel time) but this morning the gauge is flicking/jumping up/down all over the place, going from 80 degrees C to 110, 120, back to 80, 90, 130, 100, 140 back to 80 etc.... etc..... all within about 5 seconds. It might stay at the propoer temp for another 10 seconds but then go into up/down mode again.

It seems to remain more stable when I'm at a stop, but will still flick up and down randomly.

Anyone know what could be causing this????

Fixxxer

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blind_elk Grand Master

blind_elk

Posted
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Which particular sender did you use (gauge, or ECU)? And are you using the factory one, or did you replace the factory one with one designed specifically for the gauge?

It's possible you have air pockets floating around. As they pass the sender, the apparent temp changes.

Fixxxer Community Regular

Fixxxer

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The 'sender' (sensor) is the one supplied with the gauge itself and is secured in one of those attachments that go in the top radiator hose. My factory water temp gauge is still working.

I thought about air pockets, but the gauge was reading correctly (ruleing out faulty gauge/sensor) and showed no signs of 'jumping' around when I first installed it that may indicate there are air pockets. I shouldn't be getting a reading of 140 degrees C or more when the car is quite clearly around 80-90 degrees C either. So I'm kinda ruleing that one out.

If it keeps doing it, I will go over the wiring again, especially the 'sender' (sensor) wire, as the connection may have loosened itself while driving around and is not making correct contact all the time..... ??

Fixxxer

blind_elk Grand Master

blind_elk

Posted
Posted

Check the earth side of the gauge as well.

If your factory gauge still works, that should mean the ECU temp input has been disabled. If you like running really rich because the ECU thinks the engine is still cold, then leave it as it is now.

Fixxxer Community Regular

Fixxxer

Posted
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Yepp, I'll check the earthing at the sender/sensor attachment, and the earthing at the gauge while I'm doing the check of the sensor/sender wire.

I'm not sure what you mean by the ECU temp input???? I haven't changed/modified/tapped in to anything that goes to the ECU or the factory temp gauge/factory wires/factory sender, it is as stock, as it left the factory in 1993.

The Saber Electrical water temp gauge and sender/sensor is a completely separate unit. The wires I tapped into were from the cigarette lighter (dimmer, 12v and ground).

Fixxxer

blind_elk Grand Master

blind_elk

Posted
Posted

Sorry, misunderstood what you were saying. I thought you had replaced one of the factory senders. But it seems you've stuck some sort of adapter into the top radiator hose (by cutting the hose in two?).

Habler Rising Star

Habler

Posted
Posted
Hey all,

I finally got around to installing my Saber water temp gauge (electrical) and using one of those water temp attachments that go in the top radiator hose.

The 'sender' (sensor) is the one supplied with the gauge itself and is secured in one of those attachments that go in the top radiator hose. My factory water temp gauge is still working.

ahahahah I'm starting to think blind_elk is actually some what blind!! :(

Craved Grand Master

Craved

Posted
Posted

Sounds like air pockets to me also - exactly what my guage (autometer) was doing when i split the rear turbo water feed hose

meanwhile the factory guage was reading normal - cos they are crap

bleed the system again just to be sure

Fixxxer Community Regular

Fixxxer

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Found it (I hope). I pulled the ashtray out while I was driving home and everytime I slightly touched/moved the earth wire the needle on the gauge jumped around. I will look into it on the weekend if I get time, and make sure it is getting a good connection. I wish the wires going to the gauge were thicker though, they are a bugger to work with, which is probably why I'm having this problem.

I'll double check the other earth wire from the water temp sender, but I used good thick wire and connectors, and earthed it at the same spot as my (home job) earthing kit.

Thanks for all your help post people.

Fixxxer

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