Temperature Sender

S

Stan n van

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I snapped the spade end of the temperature sender when I caught the wire doing the brake stop switch[}:)]. I have got a new sender from Speedys but now the temperature gauge goes off the scale at the hot end once the van is running (it probably takes 3 mins or so from cold to get there and then stays there)[B)].

I presume that this means I have the wrong temperature sender as the van has never had overheating problems before??

The van is a 1966 one so has the old dashboard with the Smiths gauge and the temperature sender has Smiths Accessories on it. There is some numbers on the nut but I can't read them but it looks like 102 oC. I can't see similar on the new one (it is intermotor). The nut on the new one was bigger but it looked the same and fitted easily.

Can any one help.

When running I am pretty sure the thermostat opens as the top radiator hose does warm up but the heater hoses are getting what feels like quite hot, could I have somehow buggered the thermostat changing the sender (I left the radiator cap on to stop it flowing back and the water level stayed in the sender housing....)

The main engine housing is getting hot but I dont really ever feel it so dont know if it is dangerously hot. I have tried running as long as I dare to see if the thermostat opens fully and the gauge drops as it may be the new sender is just very sensitive and the old thermostat isn't? but it doesn't drop.

If I need a different sender does anyone know where to get them from.

Please help we are going away at the Bank Holiday hopefully
 
I have new ones in stock, not intermotor :)

http://www.commervanspares.co.uk/

http://www.yorkshireclassiccampers.co.uk/
 
Martin I will send you a PM:p. I already have your payment details so will sought out a transfer when you confirm price + postage. (I should know to contact you rather than go by the list on the website[B)])

By your reply it would appear you agree it is the sender not matching the gauge..............

Cheers
 
Same thing happened to Clarabel -see 'My ride needs a makeover for details- I firstly changed the thermostat (no difference) then took the new one out which seems the sensible thing to do in the summer. Our problem was mainly due to air flow and thermostat not the sender- Martin fitted a new one in the refurb and we tried the old one just to make sure- identical performance with the thermostat in. I tested two thermostats and they both seemed to open only in boiling water! Advice on digital thermometers (see clarabel) was sound- I think Martin said he had bought one of these. Now runs ok with thermostat out even on Motorways -but temp approaches the red on hills. As others have said I dont think Clarabel was running as hot as the temp gauge indicated.-Best to check however with a digital thermometer-local garages sometimes have these. Good luck - Hazels Dad
 
If your van is actually overheating, then you shouldn't be able to hold the top hose for more than a few seconds without concern for a scolded hand.

To go right from cold to off the temp scale in just 3 mins seems incredible (based on how long a kettle takes - even Triumph Stags take much longer and it's their speciality !!!)

Such a quick heat up suggests to me either ;

a) Electrical problem within the temp sender and gauge circuit

You need to find the actual engine temperature via a IR thermometer or some automotive multimeters come with probes to measure temps - the latter possibly less accurate than an IR but still indicative and almost an essential toolbox item generally (I got a new Gunson G4187 off Ebay for under £30). A multimeter would also then help diagnose any circuit issues too. (BTW : Maplin sell a reasonable IR for £20 - £30 depending on their being in a sale)

b) Water pump problem is not circulating effectively, causing lack of flow through the radiator

If engine temp is proven to be too hot but your radiator top hose is still grippable for a good period then this suggests possible coolant flow issues. Given the recent occurrence this could be from a failed waterpump, as a sludged up system / blocked radiator whilst not to be ruled out would perhaps have shown a more gradual degredation (when was your system & radiator last fully reverse flushed ?)

c) Whilst I'm still a bit suspicious of the 3 minute 'overheat' - as you've been rummaging in the engine bay could you have accidently knocked the timing out or mixture adjustment. Is your timing bang on & dizzy fully tightened in position ? Is the mixture too lean at any point ? I can highly recommend a Gunson 'Colortune' to achieve getting the mixture accurate enough for minimal outlay (ie. not the expense of a CO meter)

Best of luck !

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'Hunny' our Commer Hi-Tor by TorCars
 
Cheers for the advice. I am banking on the new sensor sorting it first before I investigate any further as the van hasn't over heated before and the only reason i changed the sensor is I snapped the spade end off. I might put the old one back in and hold the connector flush to check the temparture on the guage is still ok with the old one if the new sensor doesnt fix it so at least I would know the engine isnt overheating. I back flushed the radiator and coolant system when I got the van as I had to replace the radior hoses anyway (about 2 years ago).
 
Thanks for the sender Martin, unfortunately the same thing happens. I put the old one back in and pushed the sender wire on and the van ran at normal on the gauge (like it normally does) all radiator hoses and heater hoses heating up evenly so presumably circulation is good.

I also earthed the wire onto the chassis and needle swung right over so it all seems to be pointing to for whatever reason my gauge needs a different sender.

Can anyone help, I don't even know what thread it is that goes into the housing...........

Is it because I have the older dashboard there is a difference in the resistance rating on the gauge or my electrics are different????
 
Can you solder the wire to the sender for now?

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Peggy can do 78mph!
If I told you I was a pathological liar, would you believe me?
 
There's definitely a miss-match somewhere - I have a different problem, after fitteng a new sender the gauge only reads about a quarter of the range even when the lekky fan cuts in at 90 degrees. A check with an infra red thermometer confirms it but at least I do have some sort of reading:I

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Summer's here.....
Told you
 
Hi all, I have a bad reading between my original sender and new smiths clock, my clock reads 130oc (ish) but thermometer tells me 90oc at tickover, so I'm looking to get a new smiths sender but wanted to know before ordering if anyone knows the thread size ?
 
I snapped the tag off my sender and soldered a wire back on to the remaining thin metal strip in the plastic then cable clipped it to the side of the sender and now it works ok. Took a bit of trouble to tin the remaining bit as it was flush with the plastc and I didnt expect it to work but it does!
 
quote:
Originally posted by old camper

I snapped the tag off my sender and soldered a wire back on to the remaining thin metal strip in the plastic then cable clipped it to the side of the sender and now it works ok. Took a bit of trouble to tin the remaining bit as it was flush with the plastc and I didnt expect it to work but it does!



Makes it a bit easier if you run a hacksaw blade down either side of the broken spade. Just a little knick makes gives a bit more meat to solder to:)

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Summer's Coming
 
quote:
Originally posted by eclipse77

Hi Tim, seen 1 which says 3/8 NPT , Ring any bells?




Sounds promising, the two threads are near enough the same :)

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"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
 
Hmm. Reading old threads to see if I can iron out some issues with the old girl. Despite changing the temperature guage, mine has never worked. Just goes off scale to hot but a touch of the left hand on the engine bay always tells me where she is at. It would be nice to get it to work though. Where will I find this temperature sender? In the engine bay or above the dash?
Also, coming back from Bournemouth I've noticed she has seeped some antifreeze out on to the engine block under where you turn the engine switch to off so you don't roast in the cab in the summer. Is there anything else I am supposed to do ie is there a summer thermostat to be used? I keep the same one in and just turn the guage on or off for summer or winter but never had coolant seeing before? Too much pressure perhaps? All hoses seem fine and water level never drops? Any thoughts? When I have sorted my waterworks I will go back to trying to sort the speedo which had to be disconnected 250 miles ago!!!
 
The coolant is probably leaking out of the tap you closed off, they are not the best of things to seal properly. If it's only a drip then don't worry too much but keep your eye on it.
Temperature sender is right at the front of the engine, what looks like a brass nut sticking up out of the thermostat housing with one wire coming from it.

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