Cool Running.
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- gooner1
- Out humping Reindeer
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Got a problem with my temp gauge not moving out of the blue.Recently done a timingbelt change along with water pump,thermostat, tensioner,coolant and oil change. Bled the system took her for a good 40 mile run and was better than ever with the temp at the quarter mark .Yesterday i changed the plastic screen on the instrument cluster and have since had this problem.Seem to recall something about a screw(earth?) that can come loose behind the cluster ,would this cause this and if so does anyone have a pic of it.Also is there an easy way to disconect the wires from the gauges,dont really want to use brute force.
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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Loose nut makes the gauge read slightly high.
Most probable explanation is you've bent the needle.
To remove the white and blue plugs from the cluster, lift up the black plastic bar around the middle with a small screwdriver.
Most probable explanation is you've bent the needle.
To remove the white and blue plugs from the cluster, lift up the black plastic bar around the middle with a small screwdriver.
- gooner1
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Clipped the white sensor back on and ran her for a bit, does seem to be running smoother but still idling high and temp still not moving out of the blue.Coolant hoses seem very hot too but saying that i never took much notice of how hot they got before.
- gooner1
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Sorry if ive confused anyone but after reading this myself think id better point out that im talking about
the white,brown and blue sensors near the thermostat now not connctors on the instrument cluster.Brian had a look at temp needle but doesnt appear to be bent.
the white,brown and blue sensors near the thermostat now not connctors on the instrument cluster.Brian had a look at temp needle but doesnt appear to be bent.
- stevenannahouse
- E30 Zone Newbie
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maybe its just packed in..Try changing the cluster with someone elses and see if there temp guage goes up.
- stevenannahouse
- E30 Zone Newbie
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could also be a dodgy thermostat..Ive had thermostats bought brand new for various cars and a few of them have been faulty.
- Brianmoooore
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Is this a UK M20 engine? What white sensor?
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Its not the cold start thingy is it ????
Part 16
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=11&fg=35
Part 16
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=11&fg=35
Pete don't care about colour, He would shag a rainbow if he could find the end of it....


- gooner1
- Out humping Reindeer
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- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:00 pm
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[quote="Brianmoooore"]Is this a UK M20 engine? What white sensor?[/quote
Yes def a uk engine, on mine there are 3 of these, looking from drivers side of engine firstly from there is a white plastic sensor then a blue one(temp?) and lastly nearest to thermostat housing is a brown one(ecu?)
Yes def a uk engine, on mine there are 3 of these, looking from drivers side of engine firstly from there is a white plastic sensor then a blue one(temp?) and lastly nearest to thermostat housing is a brown one(ecu?)
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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Brown one is temp gauge (short wire to earth and temp gauge should go to full hot), blue one is ECU.
What year is this engine?
What year is this engine?
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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Early one then. White sensor possibly is a cold start injector thermostat then, but I've never set eyes on one so early.
Brown sensor is still your temp gauge sender though.
If the car's running cold, then it's a thermostat problem.
If the car just thinks it's running cold, then it's a gauge circuit problem.
Fairly simple circuit. Thermistor (brown sensor), earthed by being screwed to the stat housing (possibility here, I suppose. Check for zero ohms between the stat housing and the engine block). Single wire from the sensor, through the engine loom plug and socket on the bulkhead to the instrument cluster.
Brown sensor is still your temp gauge sender though.
If the car's running cold, then it's a thermostat problem.
If the car just thinks it's running cold, then it's a gauge circuit problem.
Fairly simple circuit. Thermistor (brown sensor), earthed by being screwed to the stat housing (possibility here, I suppose. Check for zero ohms between the stat housing and the engine block). Single wire from the sensor, through the engine loom plug and socket on the bulkhead to the instrument cluster.
- gooner1
- Out humping Reindeer
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- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:00 pm
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Have now replaced temp sensor and temp gauge and car is running fine.Strangely the revs have also dropped a bit but still slightly high.Will now swap the TPS ,got it this am Eko,cheers .Saw a thread on here about drilling a small hole in the TPS to let any oil drain out.Have i got that right?.Big thanks to all who helped,Brian you were right
the temp gauge needle was bent just could,nt see it till i removed it from the cluster.
the temp gauge needle was bent just could,nt see it till i removed it from the cluster.