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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Ray74 on 17 October 2009, 09:43

Title: Knackered temp gauge??
Post by: Ray74 on 17 October 2009, 09:43

Hi all, I am new here, great forum, loads of info!
I just bought myself a 92 K reg Gti 3 door, I have an issue with the temp guage tho,
Its all the way over to the right, on the stops, all the time...doesnt move running or not,
havent had a chance to take the cluster out to inspect, just wondering if anyone else
has had this problem? If so, can this be fixed or do I need a new cluster?
Any info most appreciated!!
Cheers
Ray

Title: Re: Knackered temp gauge??
Post by: gtigolfthree on 17 October 2009, 11:30

Hi welcome to the site, disconnect the wire from the temp sender unit on the engine and if the guage goes to zero the sender unit is faulty if not then probably a short to earth on the wire you have disconnected which goes to the guage.

Title: Re: Knackered temp gauge??
Post by: Ray74 on 17 October 2009, 12:11

Thats the blue connection at the front? by the hose?

Title: Re: Knackered temp gauge??
Post by: gtigolfthree on 17 October 2009, 12:22

No I think thats for the ecu, its on the end of the cylinder head below the oil filler cap, mine has a black wire.

Title: Re: Knackered temp gauge??
Post by: Ray74 on 17 October 2009, 12:36

ok, great, will have a look, cheers for that...

Title: Re: Knackered temp gauge??
Post by: Ray74 on 17 October 2009, 13:29

Back to the drawing board, gauge still inop....

Title: Re: Knackered temp gauge??
Post by: gtigolfthree on 17 October 2009, 14:15

More specific is it still at the top with the ign on and the wire disconnected?

Title: Re: Knackered temp gauge??
Post by: Ray74 on 17 October 2009, 14:37

Hi, yep it is as far to the right as it will physically go, all the time..ign on and off which is what makes me think its the actual needle thats the problem...

Title: Re: Knackered temp gauge??
Post by: gtigolfthree on 17 October 2009, 15:18

No it will be a short to earth on that wire you have disconnected, you need to follow it all the way back to the guage and look for the short or run a new wire from guage to sender unit.

Title: Re: Knackered temp gauge??
Post by: Ray74 on 17 October 2009, 15:25

Ok, thanks for your help guys, will get me tools out tomorrow methinks..:)

Title: Re: Knackered temp gauge??
Post by: boneybradley on 17 October 2009, 19:00

I recon the clocks are faulty...a common mk3 issue (i had 4 sets in 3 years due to failures!)

Title: Re: Knackered temp gauge??
Post by: gtigolfthree on 17 October 2009, 19:33

I hate contradicting mods sorry but a temp gauage is in actual fact a volt meter and if it fails it will not work at all, you put its full voltage across it, I think its 9 volts as there is a stabiliser live one side and other to earth it will show full reading (9 volts if it was scaled that way), you put a resistor between guage and earth and it will give an inbetween reading depending on the value of the resistor. A temp sender unit is in fact a variable resistor that varies with temperature, hence different voltage readings on guauge as engine heats and cools, then change voltage scale to temperature scale and hey presto. The sender unit sometimes shorts to earth which is why you need to disconnect it to find out, if the guage stays at full then the wire has to be touching earth, sorry.