K series 1600 1998 Temperature

[markerobson]

Hi all, noticed today when on a run my temperature gauge reads 0, although fan was on in traffic in Margate, got back to barn and when idling it was showing 40, would this be sender unit or gauge problem.

Thanks Mark 

[PROBE2]

Mark, you can test the gauge by earthing wire to ground, gauge should show full deflection. Nearly always a faulty temperature sender. 

[SM25T]

Above test with ignition on. Sender is the one with a single wire on the steel water rail near the back of the engine. Easy to change. In stock at Redline 01883 346515

[markerobson]

Many thanks for the info, think I'll order a new one and replace as I think temperature on these engines are very sensitive. 

Regards Mark 

[markerobson]

Hi all

Just to say I've fixed it with a quick fix. I took multi plug off sender and cleaned with contact cleaner and hey presto it fixed it, so all good now, 

Took for a quick ride to Rye and temperature averaging 60-80. 

 

Thanks Mark 

[CageyH]

Averaging between 60 to 80 does not sound right to me.

[markerobson]

What should the temperature run at??

[CageyH]

Around 80.

It should not fluctuate much. Dropping to 60 does not sound good.

[Jonathan Kay]

There are several recent reports of Ks running very cool, and suggestions that blanking part of the radiator might be a good solution.

Jonathan

PS: It's hard to tell but I think that the reports are getting more common... 

[SM25T]

Suspect the sender is failing. They are not particularly long lived. Easy to replace without losing any significant amount of coolant.

[twincamtim]

I have a similar problem - the temperature drops randomly from mid-80's (quickly, in a few seconds) to between 60 & 70 for no apparent reason and then back up again after several minutes (up to approx. 15 sometimes). I have not yet cleaned any contacts but will do that before I drive it again.

I do not know/understand the workings of the sender or gauge so any explanation of how the sender could be apparently partially working would be helpful. I would expect it to either work correctly or not work at all.  

[Jonathan Kay]

I do not know/understand the workings of the sender or gauge so any explanation of how the sender could be apparently partially working would be helpful. I would expect it to either work correctly or not work at all.

Yes. First I'd exclude problems with the thermostat and fan. That sort of fault could be caused by a bad contact somewhere, but that would more commonly result in a reading at the end of the scale.

But if the fault occurs often enough you can check with a multimeter and a wiring diagram... 

Jonathan

 

[SM25T]

The sender is poor quality and often starts working randomly before failing completely.

[grumpy the 7th]

Does the temp drop from 80 ish when you accelerate hard on an open bit of road? If so it's probably the sudden rush of air cooling the radiator.

[twincamtim]

JK: thanks.

SM25T: OK.

Grumpy: not that I recall, I was driving along a dual carriageway the last time and it was in traffic, moving between 40 and 70mph.