Temp Gauge (engine coolant) not working.... any ideas?

[jonnyedinburgh 0]

The temp gauge for engine coolant (on the instrument cluster, left hand side) is dead.

Replaced the two switches found on the thermo housing - one of them was the engine coolant temperature sensor, the other was the thermo sender for ECU. Replacing these items hasn't solved the problem.

The only other 2 things I can figure out are either the thermostat is knacked or the actual gauge on the instrument panel is knacked.

The car drives fine, engine oil temp sits at 90 degrees most of the time, no leaks either and the heating works perfectly.

Any ideas?

Anyone else had this problem?

thanks

[jonnyedinburgh 0]

I'm thinking i'll probably replace thermostat anyway.... should I replace all/part of the housing, including seals AND bolts, any detailed step by step advice about this anyone?

[VR6Pete 1,455]

Hi there!

Have you tried to have it on a vag-com to see if that shows up any faults?

if you are replacing the stat, get all seals and stuff.... doing a search using the above search bar should throw up similar posts...

pete

[jonnyedinburgh 0]

i've uploaded a diagram of the 'stat housing including part numbers, anyone able to use this link to advise what parts I should order and how to replace them correctly?

www.premieredigital.co.uk/vr6.html

[jonnyedinburgh 0]

bought a new laptop bout 3 months ago, doesn't have a serial connector so i can't use VAGCom without buying a new USB lead... ebay shortly

[VR6Pete 1,455]

main thermostat housing - 021 121 117A - £22.45 + vat

seal to join to head - 021 121 119A - £2.28 + vat

connector to water pipe - 021 121 133D - £9.45 + vat

connector to pipe seal - N101 392 01 - £1.48 + vat

thermostat cover - 021 121 121A - £9.45 + vat

thermostat (80deg) - 075 121 113D - £11.50 + vat

thermostat seal - N901 368 02 - £2.15 + vat

temp sensor seals - N903 168 02 - £0.87 +vat

Or from a ford Dealer:

main thermostate housing - 1032250 - 21.74 + vat

head seal - 1022692 - 1.51 + vat

connector to pipe seal - 1018807 - 0.80 + vat

temp sensor seal - 7198663 - 0.63 + vat

connector to water pipe & therm cover ( can't tell which is which from my invoice ) - 1032251 & 1032252 - 7.64 & 7.79 + vat

Prices at April '06

my breather valve ( 7364573 ) was 20.54 + vat (Jul 06)

[Bigjobbo 0]

have you checked the fuse?? Have you checked the "new" switch??

[jonnyedinburgh 0]

didn't try the fuse, which one is it?

[Russ_vr6 12]

it wont be the stat causing it not to work mate,but replacing the stat and housing wont do any harm,it will prob do the engine good to run a lil cooler

i would say the gauge or wiring is at fault

[jonnyedinburgh 0]

ignore me ignorance, why would a faulty stat not be the cause? how do i test if it's the gauge or wiring?

[Bigjobbo 0]

get someone sitting in the car with the ignition on, take the plug off the switch and bridge the contacts in pairs. When you bridge the right two the gauge will shoot up, that cancels out your fuse, and points to the switch. Unlikely to be the gauge itself.

[jonnyedinburgh 0]

makes senses, though i've already replaced both switches and don't think they are the cause.

which fuse/where is it located? thanks

[jonnyedinburgh 0]

I've checked th bentley manual for fuse locations, can't see ought relating to engine temperature or coolant temperature, anyone any idea?

[Bigjobbo 0]

Is it definately the temp sender switch you changed?? What about the fan switch? Does the fan come in?

The stat could be the cause, but once your oil temp hits 90, your coolant would still be running at about 70 with the stat stuck open, so this would still op the gauge.

To check the wiring, bridge test it. A mech would check that circuit first.

Good luck

[jonnyedinburgh 0]

fans work fine, everything works fine except the temp needle is dead. def changed the correct switches as the ones i took out looked the same as the ones i put in. which fuse should i check or aint there a fuse for the temp gauge?