temp gauge

[lancyman]

HI all,

For a while my temperature gauge has been at nearly 12 position.
It's not been at usual 11 for a long time. This worries me.
I can't find any leaks, and I have checked coolant and all is fine.
My lca hasn't gone off. Can anyone suggest what might be going on?
Can the gauge be tested or reset? Any ideas appreciated.

Thanks

[g8dhe]

Where does the needle sit when its cold and the ignition Off ?
Have you ever had the panel out to change the dial's or anything like that ?

[lancyman]

The needles sits at cold, as it should, and rises in a normal way.
I did try and take the panel off a while ago, in a failed attempt to
play with the dash illumination. Can't remember if it was playing up
before or after I did this. What might this mean?

[wonkanoby]

when its warm is lower front hose to rad hot...ie stat is opening

[lancyman]

Not checked the hoses when warm. Will have a look.
If I am looking at the radiator front on, where is the
hose?

[Driver+Passengers]

Have you fitted new battery or alternator recently? Don't know if a higher Vbat would alter needle position?

[lancyman]

No, not touched the battery or alternator.

[wonkanoby]

bottom right under passenger wing

[g8dhe]

The normal un-powered position is against the lefthand end stop - off the scale. If there had been a dial change then its possible to put the needle back in the wrong position and thus it might read higher than standard.

[lancyman]

I will check the dial when I get home, and that pipe too. Thanks chaps.

[g8dhe]

Otherwise it might be the sensor itself that has a dodgy contact or has aged.

[lancyman]

Checked the gauge when cold and it's down
At the far left as far as it will go.

[Northern Bongolow]

the gauge works by measuring resistance. so check the connection to the top of the sender it will have corroded a little, so may have increased the resistance reading.

its under the drivers seat at the very front of the head if its a diesel. (single wire).

[lancyman]

Thanks folks. What colour is the sender
Wire? Checked the hose, didn't seem that warm
Not sure got right one though. Can anyone post
A pic for me. Thanks.

[wonkanoby]

great big hose goes to bottom inlet on radiator hard to miss

rad only has 2 main hoses one on top to left as you look in engine bay

other on the bottom on right

you will have to check it after a long run or stat will not be open as its cold outside now