400se Guage issue
Discussion
I recently had some work done on my 400se, since picking up the car the petrol guage and temp guage are acting differently. Before they used to creep up to their current reading. Now when I turn the ignition they shoot straight to the reading almost bouncing off it. Any ideas what could have caused them to do this?
The only work I really had done was the injectors refurbed and a new valley gasket in the process. My first thoughts would have been earth but the main earth's have not been disturbed. I have been told there could be an earth to the fuel rail but I cannot see one.
Thanks
The only work I really had done was the injectors refurbed and a new valley gasket in the process. My first thoughts would have been earth but the main earth's have not been disturbed. I have been told there could be an earth to the fuel rail but I cannot see one.
Thanks
I would check the gauges themselves. Easiest one to check would be the temperature gauge. Put the ignition on and touch the temperature gauge sensor wire under the bonnet to an earth and watch the gauge. If it shoots up like an amp meter would, then the gauge is suspect as it should creep up slowly to the maximum mark. Same applies to the fuel gauge. If they disconnected the battery during the work they carried out, maybe they’ve shorted something out and damaged them somehow.
Edited by ElvisWedgeman on Tuesday 6th December 15:28
ElvisWedgeman said:
I would check the gauges themselves. Easiest one to check would be the temperature gauge. Put the ignition on and touch the temperature gauge sensor wire under the bonnet to an earth and watch the gauge. If it shoots up like an amp meter would, then the gauge is suspect as it should creep up slowly to the maximum mark. Same applies to the fuel gauge. If they disconnected the
battery during the work they carried out, maybe they’ve shorted something out and damaged them somehow.
I was thinking they may have done something like that. Next check is the gauges themselves. battery during the work they carried out, maybe they’ve shorted something out and damaged them somehow.
Edited by ElvisWedgeman on Tuesday 6th December 15:28
Adrian@ said:
Q. Smiths or VDO gauges? (I have a SEAC interior '86 280DH with VDO which jump into life), then as said, Smiths versions (hot wire, earth dissipate) will slowly go to full if the wire is shorted down to earth. A@
I am pretty sure they are Stuart Warner although they do look like Smith's gauges. From memory SW gauges were only fitted as OE to 81-83 cars (might even be 82, I do not remember having them in either my A or B reg 280's back in my childhood), but VDO do hit almost instantly to the gauge point.
The 400SE should use TVR's (canted to one side) Smiths version (which must have an integral voltage stabiliser as I cannot see one in any diagram I have).
Historically gauges have suffered from poor earth to the dash, which in turn have the indicators giving a drama effect to the gauges when operating ...my (presuming your car is running TVR's gauges as expected for a 400SE 5 gauge version dash) thoughts are that you have had a poor earth and that now you don't and things are working reasonable better than they were. Obviously, TVR were still using VDO in '86 (as my 280DH is) but I have not seen them in a 400. (there is nothing saying that different gauges have been retro fitted ATM). A@
The 400SE should use TVR's (canted to one side) Smiths version (which must have an integral voltage stabiliser as I cannot see one in any diagram I have).
Historically gauges have suffered from poor earth to the dash, which in turn have the indicators giving a drama effect to the gauges when operating ...my (presuming your car is running TVR's gauges as expected for a 400SE 5 gauge version dash) thoughts are that you have had a poor earth and that now you don't and things are working reasonable better than they were. Obviously, TVR were still using VDO in '86 (as my 280DH is) but I have not seen them in a 400. (there is nothing saying that different gauges have been retro fitted ATM). A@
Edited by Adrian@ on Monday 19th December 08:36
I've not looked on the 400SE (SX) but the earth on the 350i came to the dash via the bonnet cable. There's an earth strap in teh engine bay to (probably) back of the engine.
Quite likely if they did the valley gasket they have disturbed the earths to the rear of the engine usually drivers side cylinder head.
You could try running a temporary (thick) cable from there through the bulkhead grommet to dash earth, to see if that clears it up.
Also double check battery -ve still attached properly.
Quite likely if they did the valley gasket they have disturbed the earths to the rear of the engine usually drivers side cylinder head.
You could try running a temporary (thick) cable from there through the bulkhead grommet to dash earth, to see if that clears it up.
Also double check battery -ve still attached properly.
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