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okami

Member Since: 06 Apr 2017
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 90

1993 Defender 110 200 Tdi SW Montpellier Red

Mystery for the armchair mechanics

Strange issue I'm working through. It is too damn cold to actually work on it at the moment so I'd figured I'd ask the crowd.

The temperature gauge light. Doesn't come on when the headlights are switched on. However, it does pop on after about 30 minutes of driving -- every time like clockwork.

I have a separate issue that my gas gauge reads full all the time which. I've been fighting that one and chasing grounds, but it appears to be gauge related at this point. But I never believe in coincidences so they could be related.

And before you ask, no the gas gauge light doesn't come on either -- but that is because that one is missing a bulb

11th Dec 2017 10:22pm

Pilgrimmick

Member Since: 16 Nov 2015
Location: Highlands
Posts: 582

Put a bulb in and then start afresh. 80" 1948
Lightweight V8
Bowler Tomcat
130 Station wagon
90 300tdi
(Santana PS10 pick up)
Range Rover L322 (Ful fat)

11th Dec 2017 10:38pm

sako243

Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Wales
Posts: 1218

1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White

Here's one you wouldn't guess. Check your front driver sidelight. I have a similar issue and the bulb holder is dodgy. If that loses connection then it takes the backlights with it. Ed
82 Hotspur Sandringham 6x6
95 Defender 110 300Tdi

12th Dec 2017 10:14pm

geobloke

Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

Re: Mystery for the armchair mechanics

Hi Okami. What age vehicle have you got? I am guessing a TDI era.

okami wrote:
Strange issue I'm working through. It is too damn cold to actually work on it at the moment so I'd figured I'd ask the crowd.

The temperature gauge light. Doesn't come on when the headlights are switched on. However, it does pop on after about 30 minutes of driving -- every time like clockwork.

This sounds like a bad connection problem (either earth or live) and one that is connected possibly to temperature. After 30 mins of driving your heater starts to get all toasty warm, as does the bulkhead and wiring within it. Queue lights on as a better contact is achieved. Happens in mine, especially during these cold mornings. The solution is to break out the multimeter and start testing the connections from the bulb backwards.

okami wrote:
I have a separate issue that my gas gauge reads full all the time which. I've been fighting that one and chasing grounds, but it appears to be gauge related at this point. But I never believe in coincidences so they could be related.

And before you ask, no the gas gauge light doesn't come on either -- but that is because that one is missing a bulb

I am going to say it because it has to be... Is your sender float wedged at the top of your tank??

Pre-TD5 vehicles had to have matched gauge and sender to work. Earlier gauges do not work with later senders etc etc. I had this issue with my 200TDI, the solution was to start afresh with a known gauge and matched a sender to it. Connecting the sender up to the gauge and working the float arm through its range of motion and watching what the gauges needle did.

The light issue with this gauge sounds like the same as the temp gauge, find one and you will solve the other.

13th Dec 2017 10:55am

okami

Member Since: 06 Apr 2017
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 90

Thanks guys for the input.

Finally had some time to do some work on the 200tdi. Narrowed down the issue to the gauge itself.

Replaced all of the lights with LED's which fixed the lighting issue, but the gauge appears to have a thin broken wire within the unit.

I'm guessing these things are pressed together and cannot be serviced. I've order a replacement, but I'd love to be able to take the old one apart and attempt a repair.

Are things serviceable?

-j

24th Dec 2017 6:20pm

discomog

Member Since: 09 May 2015
Location: Notts/Lincs Border
Posts: 2526

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black

There are lots of specialist classic car instrument and gauge specialists, someone like http://thegaugeshop.com although have no personal experience of them. Maybe worth a call. Defender 90XS SW
Mini Countryman Cooper S
Morgan Plus 8

24th Dec 2017 8:53pm

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