Vic787 Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Lovely day just been out for a run and noticed, petrol gauge is going up and down and eventually settled in the 1/4 level although tank half full. The water temp is zero. Any ideas? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Check the voltage stabiliser - drivers footwell top outboard corner - should be 10volts (ish) Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 As Roger says, but it could just be a loose connection at the stabiliser (quite common). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 The only common thing between the temp and fuel gauges is the stabilser. Sounds like its not doing 10V. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Check the earth connection of the stabiliser - it's supposed to be eathed via a screw and spire nut on the mounting bracket. A self-tapper direct into the bracket will give a better earth. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuartmac Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 check your fuses are sound as well, the wipers and indicators wouldnt work either if this was the case, but unless you were using them you wouldnt know Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vic787 Posted October 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Thanks chaps for your advice, I have no means of testing voltage so I checked the wiring and the mounting screw, all that happened was that the gauges moved up a bit before settling back to zero. By the way, it took some finding in the footwell, It has been on the car for 51 years so I have ordered a new one. Lets hope that is the problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Lets hope the new one is good - a couple of suppliers have told me that the new ones are made in India and are not the most reliable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Moss ones should be OK. I stripped one down to see whats in them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 I stripped the dead one that was on my 4A, and it looked OK, had continuity on the heater, the contact were OK. Just din't work. Perhaps the earth connection from the heater, which is just trapped between the casing and the paxolin? If so, a blob of solder would have cured it. I'm going to fit a 7810 regulator in the case and keep it for a spare, in case my NOS ebay purchase fails. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 If you use the 7810 put some capacitors across it to stop any oscillations. Oscillations can cause a current increase and make it pop. 100uF across input and ground and 100nF across output and ground. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted October 12, 2013 Report Share Posted October 12, 2013 Thanks Roger, good point - shouldn't be a problem with the normal (as opposed to low dropout) 7810 but it won't hurt to put same capacitance in. I should admit to being named on a previous employer's patent for a solid state voltage stabiliser supplied to a major manufacturer. That used 7808s though. And no, I didn't get royalties! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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