Temperature Gauge

[johnssi]

My temperature gauge has been acting erratic lately, even before I replaced all the dash pieces. Jumping up and down, one minute up then not working, then back up. It seems like all the connections are ok, but I have not checked the ground. Hmmm. Could it be the temperature senders on the block? Any ideas out there?
John

[bradartigue]

They can become brittle at the connection point with the head, especially if you don't have the rubber boots on them. I usually get new boots, cut the wire back a little bit, put on new connectors.

[johnssi]

Thanks Brad... are you saying that you think the connectors to the senders are bad? Or could the senders themselves be bad?

[leftfield6]

Pretty sure this is my problem with my temp gauge as well, the supposedly once-upon-a-time made of rubber boots have hardened into some substance that crumbles upon being touched. Is there a quick and easy way to determine if the problem is the sender vs. the gauge. I know on my motorcycle, the manual says to touch the sender wire to ground for a second, and see if the gauge needle pegs itself. Would this work on the Spider?

[Spiderinmlnj]

Yes taking wire off sender and grounding will peg the needle (or should if the est of the wiring is ok).

You may also want to look at thread: http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14867

I have a new guage sender sitting on the workbench asking me when it is going to get installed

Geoff

[Exit98]

John SSI

I had the same problem. I pretty much knew the wire to the center sender was brittle and the insulation split. Instead of fixing it whenever the temp needle pegged I'd open the hood, jiggle the wire and things would settle down for a while.

FInally I cut the old heat-effected wire short about 6 inches, spliced in a new wire and connector and now its fine.

I don't think it's your connector, it is probably the wire. Easy fix.