Random temp readings

[beaglebongo]

hi everyone

The wife drove the bongo yesterday 2l petrol-up to Barnstaple and back and noticed the temp gauge had not moved of its start position its 50 miles round trip. On the way back the temp gauge started to move/flick periodically up to the normal eleven o clock position and back down again espicially when idelling. checked coolant level normal, alarm has not sounded,van driving well otherwise although have not driven since,any ideas am at a loss not very mechanically mined please help, and thanks in advance

[haydn callow]

2lt's do run very cool but you say the needle "flicks"...this points to a faulty gauge or more likely a poor connection,......was it o.k. before?....could be a hard to find fault

[beaglebongo]

hi
yes it predominatly stays at the off position the periodically moves up to normal position and the drops back again. When running normally and having driven enough distance for the engine to warm up to running temp the gauge will remain in the 11 o clock position- perviously. this new movement was happening intermitantly and when idelling

[beaglebongo]

Hi
if this is a faulty gauge or dodgy connection is the van ok to drive to garage to get it fixed i have heard so many horror stories of overheating etc i would not want to damage it in any way.

[321Away]

suspect a faulty temp sender
Julian

[Northern Bongolow]

hi ,
not familiar with the 2 litre petrol but the temp sender will be similar on all models me thinks.
i would be very cautious of driving it to the garage until your happy that its just a temp sender fault or wiring fault.
i would look for the temp sender,usually somewhere high up on the cylinder head,its about the thickness of your little finger,bright brass in colour,it will look like a brass nut with 1 wire coming off the top.check/remove the wire carefully and clean up the connection,they get corroded.do not remove the sender from the head or you will need to bleed it after.
these dont tend to fail outright but tend to read inaccurately,if you need to replace it make sure you use gen mazda part,not copy part,as these are a bit out.
hope this helps.

[haydn callow]

agree with all the above but personally I would have no worries about driving to a garage.

[beaglebongo]

Many thanks for all the advice.
I ve had a word with allan at allans vehicle services at Plymouth he said the same sort of thing and has someone in with the same problem. I will post an up date next week when problem is sorted.

[missfixit70]

Not sure if this helps locate it, couple of likely looking candidates - http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... o=.html#12

[beaglebongo]

Thank you
It all helps will look at it this weekend and go from there

[beaglebongo]

Hi

Re the above The waggon has been checked over by Allan at allans vehicle services, plymouth and the problem was a faulty temp sender as many of you suspected and many thanks to everyone including Allan