Biggest mystery since Amelia Aerhart - my 110 temperature gauge.

Howdy,

Defender 110, 200 Tdi.

Temperature gauge died the other day... thought it would just be the connection falling off - nope.

It doesn't budge from the off position when the ignition turns on. The weird thing is, I've checked all the usual stuff and it seems like it should be working fine. The fuel gauge works grand too.

What I've done -

Checked voltage supply plug - getting battery voltage when I just earth it to the block.

Checked continuity between temp sender and variable earth plug - fine.

Checked voltage when earthed to the temp sender - about 3.5 - 4V

So, I thought, it's obvious - the gauge is f*cked. But, when I took it out and used a 3.5 - 4 V supply across it - needle eases up into the normal operating range! WTF?!

I then thought the connectors on the back of the gauge might be a bit duff, made sure everything was fine, clean, tight etc. but still - plug the temp gauge in and NOTHING! Not even a flicker.

One other odd thing is - if I plug the voltage supply line into one plug on the back then rig up a voltmeter on the line from the temp sender to the earth on the gauge, I get 3.5 - 4V - so voltage must be passing through the gauge? Not a bit of movement though.

BUT - if you put the voltmeter across the terminals on the back of the gauge when everything is plugged in - it reads zero!

Any help, ideas, abuse etc. gratefully received

Bin it and buy an aftermarket temperature gauge that reads in degrees Centrigrade not oranges and bananas. I was once told (whether it is true or not remains to be proven) that the original Land Rover temperature gauge sits bang in the middle at anything between 80 and 110 degrees Centrigade. That's not a gauge I'd like to trust.

Aliens - Amelia and your gauge. It's the only explanation.

Buy an old school mechanical gauge - about £30.00 - Durite do them as do Tim. No lectrics for the Aliens to mess with and it'll actually tell you the temp! sorted.

In line 8 you say when earthed to the sender. Not sure what you mean? What resistance are you getting across the sender?

As everyone else says get a proper gauge that reads in numbers and actually know what the temp is.
PS It is very likely that Amelia ended her days on Gardener island.