12 replies to this topic

[RWDwanted]

I have just fitted an electrical racetech water temp gauge to the mini, the problem is the temp immediately goes up till it is off the scale which is past 120 degrees and it doesn't come down. why would this happen?

[mars red mike]

It sounds like the wire to the sender unit for the temp gauge is grounding somewhere on the car/chassis.

[RWDwanted]

It sounds like the wire to the sender unit for the temp gauge is grounding somewhere on the car/chassis.

Thats what i thought but i cant see where it could be shorting. Anyone else got any ideas?

[dklawson]

You said you fit a Racetech temperature gauge. You did not say if you fit their sending unit.

If you are trying to use a sending unit from one brand with a gauge for another, there is absolutely no guarantee that they will work together.

[RWDwanted]

You said you fit a Racetech temperature gauge. You did not say if you fit their sending unit.

If you are trying to use a sending unit from one brand with a gauge for another, there is absolutely no guarantee that they will work together.

Im not 100% sure. I asked the guys at Rally Design and it was the one they said i would need. So i cant say for sure but i would have thought they would know if the sender is the right one or not. But if i cant sort it out il have to go back and check.

[dklawson]

If they sold you a new sending unit I would also assume they sold you the correct one.

I have the following suggestions. As mentioned above, a gauge that immediately reads full would imply that there is a short in either the sending unit or the wire between the sending unit and gauge. With the ignition on, wait for the gauge to display it's "too high" reading. When it has stabilized, open the bonnet and unplug the sending unit wire from the sender. Wrap the end of the wire in cloth or paper so it's not touching an earth point. Return to the driver's seat and watch the gauge. It should go down to "cold" and this would indicate that the wire and gauge are working properly. This would point to the problem being the sending unit itself.

If the problem is with the sending unit, take it back to the vendor and politely ask if perhaps they accidentally sold you an oil temperature sending unit. I don't know Racetech's line of gauges. I do know that other gauge vendors often sell temperature gauges for oil and different ones for water. The oil temperature gauges and senders are calibrated differently than the water temperature gauges so there is a possibility that they grabbed the wrong one for the gauge you purchased.

[Cooperman]

Last year I had a temp gauge problem. I changed the sender and the stabiliser all to no avail. It would go into the 'red' after about 8 to 10 miles and, although it didn't feel that hot, it was disconcerting to say the least. I fitted a capilliary-type gauge which gives the actual temp reading rather than C-N-H and it now sits at between 75 and 80 unless driven flat out when it will go to over 90, at which point I can switch on the electric aux, fan. Problem solved.

[dklawson]

I'm assuming that the electric Racetech gauge (being aftermarket) does not need to use the Mini's voltage stabilizer but is supplied a full 12V. Gauges like that are not really using anything "stock" on the Mini apart from perhaps the wire to/from the sender.

[Turbo Nick]

have you earthed the sender? i had to when i first fitted my electric one as it was fitted into my top hose, without the earth it shot up off the scale.

[RWDwanted]

have you earthed the sender? i had to when i first fitted my electric one as it was fitted into my top hose, without the earth it shot up off the scale.

The sender just has one spade connector on the back which goes to the gauge, the gauge is earthed. My sender is in the head not in the top hose so am i right in saying that will make it earthed?

[Turbo Nick]

if its screwed into the head then yeah it's earthed.

Have you tried driving round for a bit to get the car up to temp and see if it's working arse backwards?

[RWDwanted]

if its screwed into the head then yeah it's earthed.

Have you tried driving round for a bit to get the car up to temp and see if it's working arse backwards?

Ive driven the car and it made no difference. I should get a couple of hours tomorrow to have another look.

[monkey]

Im no electrics expert, but I would imagine that if you pull the wire of the sender, it should show cold, and if you then earth the wire, it should read HOT. If this doesn't happen, then its either a wiring issue or the gauge is knackered. If it does as I say, then I would suspect faulty sender.

hth


Steve