Broken temperature gauge

waterbaby

My temperature gauge rarely works, it shows completely cold even after a couple of hours of motorway driving.

It's important to get it done isn't it, because it's a warning for 'real' problems. Is this going to be an expensive thing to fix?

attritioner

What type of car?

I assume that it works a bit from your post, if so it may be that someone has removed the thermostat from the car and it is not warming up correctly. Your post describes that even on a motorway it is not warming up and this is typical if there is no thermostat.

Try leaving the car running for a while whilst stationary and see if the temperature guage increases. If it is the thermostat they are rarely more than £10 and any mechanic should be able to fit it within 30 mins. expect to budget for some antifreeeze/coolant as well.

Other posibilities are faulty temperature sensor, faulty guage, or faulty wiring.

Good luck.

YorkshireBoy

Possible causes are...

1. The wire has fallen off the temperature sensor (usually on the side of the engine block fairly low down. Remedy - re-attach it!

2. Faulty temperature sensor. To prove, detach the wire and short it to the engine block. Does this now show a reading on the guage? If so, replace the sensor. Tip: spray the sensor thread with WD40 or penetrating oil the night before you intend removing it. Sensor will only be a couple of quid from Halfords or your local Motor Factor's and you only need a spanner to change it.

waterbaby

YorkshireBoy wrote:

Possible causes are...

1. The wire has fallen off the temperature sensor (usually on the side of the engine block fairly low down. Remedy - re-attach it!

2. Faulty temperature sensor. To prove, detach the wire and short it to the engine block. Does this now show a reading on the guage? If so, replace the sensor. Tip: spray the sensor thread with WD40 or penetrating oil the night before you intend removing it. Sensor will only be a couple of quid from Halfords or your local Motor Factor's and you only need a spanner to change it.

:eek: This all sounds a bit technical!

However on Tuesday I am starting my (beginners) car maintenance class, and we get to work on our own cars :j so I will take these points with me and see if the teacher will help me with them. They seem like they will be easy to do if you know where the bits are!

Mr_Skint_2

Dogdy thermostat maybe.......