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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Temperature Sensor

Posted by: billd Mar 14 2006, 11:53 AM

My temperature gauge always reads at the left extreme of the scale. While I'd like to think my engine is always running cool, I don't believe it.

I measured the sensor. It measures 2.3K ohms cold and 300 ohms hot.

I checked the gauge. 300 ohms barely moves the needle. It takes a resistance of 50 ohms to get to full scale.

Does anyone know what the correct resistance range is?

I suspect I have the sensor for the aftermarket VDO gauge hooked up to a stock gauge. Pelican wants $30 for an OE senso while the aftermarket VDO sensors at $10 at Summit. Anyone know a less expensive solution?

It would be cheaper to replace the gauge - the VDO gauge is $25 at Summit, but the 2.062 inch gauge won't fit into the 60mm hole (2.362 inch) in my center console.

Posted by: toon1 Mar 14 2006, 12:04 PM

the Pennington book say's, 3k when cold, 1k when warm, engine temp sensor

Posted by: billd Mar 14 2006, 06:58 PM

If this is true, then I suspect my gauge is bad - although that's an unusual failure mode for a galvanometer.

Anyone have a nice looking solution for the 2 1/16 inch gauge in the 60mm hole?

Posted by: lapuwali Mar 14 2006, 08:03 PM

You can make a new front panel for the center console fairly easily, and redrill the holes to be any size you like.

You can also make a sleeve out of wood with a 60mm OD and a 52mm ID.

You can send the gauge to PA Speedo to get it fixed and calibrated.

Posted by: bd1308 Mar 14 2006, 08:13 PM

maybe the guage sender wire is grounding out somewhere?

b

Posted by: billd Mar 15 2006, 05:41 PM

egauges.com lists 10-180 ohms as the resistance range of a VDO temperature sender. If this is true of the stock sender, then my gauge is about right and I just need a new sender. I've ordered the aftermarket sender from Summit ($10) and will see if this works.

Posted by: BMartin914 Mar 16 2006, 08:09 AM

You need to make sure that you get a sender that matches your gauge. The older gauges use a hotter sender, the later ones a cooler one.

The older senders are NLA, and what is being made new are 150' C senders. If your gauge pegs at 300' F, this is what you want.

If you have an older gauge, the 150' C sender will not be accurate.

*All of this information is assuming you are referring to the oil temp sender*