Temp Gauge

[Machismo]

Driving home from work (4 miles) and Temp gauge bounces a few times back and forth, and then dies. Fine. Get home and electrical connecter still attached, o.k. Tried to check fuse, but no fuse puller. Wiggled w/ fingers, replaced cover. Started car and gauge now works. Hmmmmm????? Have not checked resistance yet or fuse. My long winded question is this: Has anyone experienced symtoms like or near these, and what was the outcome?

[Mingle]

mine fluctuates about 1mm when i turn the blinkers on.

[Machismo]

Over the two years I've owned the car, it has worked normally. Then left, right, dead..... Then sit for few while I look at things w/ car off, start and it works fine.

[Machismo]

Any suggestions?

[Machismo]

My temp gauge stopped working mid-drive home. Checked sending unit connector and fuse. Everything was normal. Started car, and temp gauge now works. Any suggestions or past experiences?

[boisking]

Get the fuse all the way out and check for corrosion. It is a long shot, but you said that it worked fine after you messed with the fuse. If not there, look for any signs of corrosion or water entry in the wiring harness.

[Titus]

mine fluctuates about 1mm when i turn the blinkers on.

[Machismo]

LOL! F U Titus

[sammm]

Any suggestions?

Did you drive in the rain today? Maybe something got wet and shorted out?

[trickyrix]

mine fluctuates about 1mm when i turn the blinkers on.

This has nothing to do with anything, but Titus' avatar STILL cracks me up...

[Machismo]

It did sit in the rain. I am going to keep an eye on it. I just recently roughed in my hood vents, but they are farther forward. No way just sitting would it have an affect at the back of the motor. I remember a splice I did a while back when swapped head, I'll check it and waterproof. Might as well replace fuse and see if gremlin is dead.

[channelmaniac]

Are you SURE it's connected?

There are 3 temperature devices on the Miata.... one is a switch that sits on top of the thermostat and turns the fans one... two is the one with the green or brown plastic connector that sits at the back of the head and connects to the ECU... three is the one that has a single connector on it that runs the gauges. It is on the back of the head too.

Be sure you are checking the right sensor!

You either have a intermittant 3rd sensor, an intermittant wire, or a bad gauge.

RJ

[Adam Payrot]

Are you SURE it's connected?

There are 3 temperature devices on the Miata.... one is a switch that sits on top of the thermostat and turns the fans one... two is the one with the green or brown plastic connector that sits at the back of the head and connects to the ECU... three is the one that has a single connector on it that runs the gauges. It is on the back of the head too.

Be sure you are checking the right sensor!

You either have a intermittant 3rd sensor, an intermittant wire, or a bad gauge.

RJ

94+ don't have the sensor that sits on the t-stat housing. I would check the small, single wire connector; I had a similar problem with my 94's gauge after an engine install, and this one was the culprit.

[black roadster]

I have an extra gauge assembly if you want to try a different gauge.

[Machismo]

Yep, single connector at back of enginge is connected. Fuse is fine, but will replace anyway. Gauge worked at start up this morning for about 5 minutes then went away again. No rain this morning, and I dried everything out last night. Will check the resistance this afternoon. Now just need find out if it's the guage or sending unit.

[Machismo]

BR, will come by to look at your gauge and b-ball base this Sat.

[black roadster]

BR, will come by to look at your gauge and b-ball base this Sat.

Just call and let me know you're coming as we have plans this w/e.

[Machismo]

Sure thing

[icepenguin66]

As Channelmaniac mentioned, there's more than one temp sensor. The temp sensor that goes to the actual gauge is located at the back of the motor near the CAS area and coils. Mine appeared to be connected but the plastic lock clip broke so it would not keep a secure connection and eventually rattled off. I had to replace the end of the wire with the female spade clip. Or you could have an actual problem with the wire further down the line...possible nicked while working on the car or came into contact with the exhaust, etc.

[Machismo]

Sounds like culprit, I've put a spade on it mine as well as the old one was so brittle a bird fart would have destroyed it.