Erratic Temp Gauge
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Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW ///M Power
Forum Discription: Ask your BMW M Power Technical Questions here (M1, M2 hybrids, M3, M5 & M6)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=24657
Printed Date: 05-May-2024 at 04:33
Topic: Erratic Temp Gauge
Posted By: andyclient
Subject: Erratic Temp Gauge
Date Posted: 28-November-2005 at 11:12
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Took the E30 M3 out today and the Temp gauge was flicking all over the place (bit alarming at first) Is this likely to be the Brown temp sensor or are there other causes ? (apart from it actually running hot as this wasn't the case , I did stop and check to make sure ) cheers Andy ------------- 
01 E46 320d Touring 88 E30 M3 Sadly Gone 93 E36 325 TD Gone but still going 87 E30 Hartge 325 (gone but not forgotten) |
Replies:
Posted By: Fushion Julz
Date Posted: 28-November-2005 at 11:38
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Mine was doing that...try the connector on the sender...clean the pins and re-seat. Worked for me! ------------- 1987 E30 M3 1996 E36 328i SE 4dr (Manual) 1992 E34 525iX Touring...SOLD |
Posted By: rr_ww
Date Posted: 28-November-2005 at 11:50
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When its doing it. Smack the top of the dashboard above the clocks quite hard.
If it resets the needle to another point, its the earth points on the back of the clock unit. I renewed all 3 senders and wiring loom on the coolant system before finding this out 
Though sometimes the wiring to the sender in the thermstat can get damaged. ------------- Rich. 
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Posted By: thepits
Date Posted: 28-November-2005 at 12:06
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That's a bit brutal! Mind you he's right - it generally is only the earth. ------------- Cats know your every thought. But don't care. |
rr_ww wrote:
Posted By: rr_ww
Date Posted: 28-November-2005 at 12:13
Yup 
Maybe not the prettiest diagnostic check I've ever done! but cant argue with the results. ------------- Rich.
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Posted By: andyclient
Date Posted: 28-November-2005 at 13:04
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i have tried cleaning and re seating the sensor plug will try the dash bashing diagnostics when out and about tomorrow Will keep you posted
Andy -------------
01 E46 320d Touring 88 E30 M3 Sadly Gone 93 E36 325 TD Gone but still going 87 E30 Hartge 325 (gone but not forgotten) |
Posted By: SHEPSM3
Date Posted: 28-November-2005 at 13:31
I had this with mine, I changed all the instruments, as mine had grey/silver dials so replaced them all with brand new items, sonce then the temp was irratic, do a search and you'll see. All ok now though. If this doesn't work, a rather large lump hammer usually works wonders ------------- [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/ShepsM3/New-1a1.jpg">[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/ShepsM3/New-1b1.jpg"> |
initially anyway! Posted By: M3Booboo
Date Posted: 28-November-2005 at 13:41
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Mine was doing the same...was due to earth wire on corner of cam cover getting corroded and almost none existent! Replaced earth wire and problem was solved! ------------- Owned original Sport Evo when new...couldn't resist buying another one 15 years later! |
Posted By: andyclient
Date Posted: 29-November-2005 at 09:40
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Update on the temp gauge. It does appear to respond to the dash slapping modification so its instrument cluster out and have a poke about with the earth connections on the back as mentioned by Rich I guess. Are these connections obvious on removal of the instrument pod ? Did check the earth strap as mentioned by M3Booboo that all appears sound. Thanks everyone for their input Cheers Andy -------------
01 E46 320d Touring 88 E30 M3 Sadly Gone 93 E36 325 TD Gone but still going 87 E30 Hartge 325 (gone but not forgotten) |
Posted By: jon90
Date Posted: 29-November-2005 at 09:45
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Theres a small nut on the back of temp guage,simply tighten.
Jon |
Posted By: andyclient
Date Posted: 29-November-2005 at 10:29
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excellent thanks for that Jon While i have the instrument pod out is it much of a job to change the dials or is this best left to a specialist ? Only the po put a set of white dials in i got the originals with the car and wondered if this may be the opportunity i was looking for to put them back to original. Cheers Andy -------------
01 E46 320d Touring 88 E30 M3 Sadly Gone 93 E36 325 TD Gone but still going 87 E30 Hartge 325 (gone but not forgotten) |