Temp gauge and headlights

D

Dennis

Guest

• Jul 14, 2004

• #1

Argh I hate auto electrics.

My temperature gauge slightly bumps up when i turn on my headlights
and gives a slightly more violent bump if I put on high beam. Also,
with the headlights on, sometimes (when you're far away from home, so
as to give you the biggest fright) the temperature gauge will climb
from 1/2 to 3/4 but will go back down to 1/2 if I turn off the
headlights, and will sometimes go back down on it's own even if I
don't turn off the headlights. I also noticed the rear windscreen
heater light on the dash coming on very very dimly when it's off and
the rear door is opened and the headlights are on. The headlights work
perfectly (no dim, flickering thingies etc) and all other lights also
work perfectly and have no effect on the temp gauge.

I'm VEEERY new to auto electrics so I don't know where to look. I
haven't had time to check much yet, but I did check the main earth
cables from battery to gearbox etc and they're fine. Now that the
weekend is approaching I might have more time to tinker around. So is
this definitely an earth problem and should I go ahead and rip out the
headlights and check/clean the wiring there or is there anywhere else
I should look for causes of this?

Btw, don't now if it's related, but I just fitted lamp gaurds, front
and rear. However I don't know if the problem was there before or not.

Thanks for any advice

Dennis

 

T

terry

Guest

• Jul 14, 2004

• #2

Dennis wrote:
> Argh I hate auto electrics.
>
> My temperature gauge slightly bumps up when i turn on my headlights
> and gives a slightly more violent bump if I put on high beam. Also,
> with the headlights on, sometimes (when you're far away from home, so
> as to give you the biggest fright) the temperature gauge will climb
> from 1/2 to 3/4 but will go back down to 1/2 if I turn off the
> headlights, and will sometimes go back down on it's own even if I
> don't turn off the headlights. I also noticed the rear windscreen
> heater light on the dash coming on very very dimly when it's off and
> the rear door is opened and the headlights are on. The headlights work
> perfectly (no dim, flickering thingies etc) and all other lights also
> work perfectly and have no effect on the temp gauge.
>
> I'm VEEERY new to auto electrics so I don't know where to look. I
> haven't had time to check much yet, but I did check the main earth
> cables from battery to gearbox etc and they're fine. Now that the
> weekend is approaching I might have more time to tinker around. So is
> this definitely an earth problem and should I go ahead and rip out the
> headlights and check/clean the wiring there or is there anywhere else
> I should look for causes of this?
>
> Btw, don't now if it's related, but I just fitted lamp gaurds, front
> and rear. However I don't know if the problem was there before or not.
>
> Thanks for any advice
>
> Dennis

Hi Dennis,

When you say the temp bumps up, do you mean instantly, or does it go up
over a few minutes?

If it goes up suddenly, and bearing in mind what you say about the HRW,
I would be inclined to check the electrical earth for the instrument
panel. Is the fuel guage affected at all ? Does operating the
indicators/flashers have any effects.

If it is a slower rise, and particularly whilst driving, it may be that
the fan belt is slack, casing slipping of the belt under hgh electrical
load. Don't know what vehicle you have, but if the fan belt drives the
waterpump too, then its possible that the pump slows down when the belt
slips. This scenario is a long shot, but seing as it is a few seconds
job to check the tension of the belt it is worth doing first.

Sorry for generic advice, but I don't know what vehicle you have....

Good luck, Tezza

 

E

EMB

Guest

• Jul 14, 2004

• #3

Dennis wrote:
> Argh I hate auto electrics.
>
> My temperature gauge slightly bumps up when i turn on my headlights
> and gives a slightly more violent bump if I put on high beam. Also,
> with the headlights on, sometimes (when you're far away from home, so
> as to give you the biggest fright) the temperature gauge will climb
> from 1/2 to 3/4 but will go back down to 1/2 if I turn off the
> headlights, and will sometimes go back down on it's own even if I
> don't turn off the headlights. I also noticed the rear windscreen
> heater light on the dash coming on very very dimly when it's off and
> the rear door is opened and the headlights are on.

Most likely guess by remote control from the other side of the world - a
dodgy earth connection for the dashboard. A quick check of the wiring
diagram should let you trace back to where the dash light circuit is
earthed - make sure the connection is clean.



--
EMB
change two to number to reply

 

J

JD

Guest

• Jul 14, 2004

• #4

Dennis wrote:

> Argh I hate auto electrics.
>
> My temperature gauge slightly bumps up when i turn on my headlights
> and gives a slightly more violent bump if I put on high beam. Also,
> with the headlights on, sometimes (when you're far away from home, so
> as to give you the biggest fright) the temperature gauge will climb
> from 1/2 to 3/4 but will go back down to 1/2 if I turn off the
> headlights, and will sometimes go back down on it's own even if I
> don't turn off the headlights. I also noticed the rear windscreen
> heater light on the dash coming on very very dimly when it's off and
> the rear door is opened and the headlights are on. The headlights work
> perfectly (no dim, flickering thingies etc) and all other lights also
> work perfectly and have no effect on the temp gauge.
>
> I'm VEEERY new to auto electrics so I don't know where to look. I
> haven't had time to check much yet, but I did check the main earth
> cables from battery to gearbox etc and they're fine. Now that the
> weekend is approaching I might have more time to tinker around. So is
> this definitely an earth problem and should I go ahead and rip out the
> headlights and check/clean the wiring there or is there anywhere else
> I should look for causes of this?
>
> Btw, don't now if it's related, but I just fitted lamp gaurds, front
> and rear. However I don't know if the problem was there before or not.
>
> Thanks for any advice
>
> Dennis
It would help if we knew what sort of vehicle it was, but the most likely
problem is either a faulty earth to the gauge itself and the effect is
through the instrument light circuit, or there is an actual temperature
rise due to slipping fan belt caused by the extra load on the alternator.
JD

 

D

Dennis

Guest

• Jul 15, 2004

• #5

Hi all. Thanks for the advice. Sorry for completely forgetting to say
what vehicle it is. It's a 1995 Defender 90 TDi300. The gauge needle
"bumping" is instant when turning on the lights. Kind of like giving
it an electric shock for a fraction of a second then goes back to
normal. While driving sometimes it would just freak out and instantly
jump to 3/4 hot. From there it would go back to normal either on it's
own (instantly back down to normal) or by turning off the lights. I
might add that during the day the gauge is always dead on the half way
mark no matter how hard I push the engine so I sure there isn't an
actual temperature rise.

Other lights don't have effect on this. Fuel gauge works perfectly
(thank god). I guess it could be the gauge lighting earth too as that
comes on with the headlights. I'll try giving it a go at the weekend.
Thanks for all the suggestions

Dennis

JD <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Dennis wrote:
>
> > Argh I hate auto electrics.
> >
> > My temperature gauge slightly bumps up when i turn on my headlights
> > and gives a slightly more violent bump if I put on high beam. Also,
> > with the headlights on, sometimes (when you're far away from home, so
> > as to give you the biggest fright) the temperature gauge will climb
> > from 1/2 to 3/4 but will go back down to 1/2 if I turn off the
> > headlights, and will sometimes go back down on it's own even if I
> > don't turn off the headlights. I also noticed the rear windscreen
> > heater light on the dash coming on very very dimly when it's off and
> > the rear door is opened and the headlights are on. The headlights work
> > perfectly (no dim, flickering thingies etc) and all other lights also
> > work perfectly and have no effect on the temp gauge.
> >
> > I'm VEEERY new to auto electrics so I don't know where to look. I
> > haven't had time to check much yet, but I did check the main earth
> > cables from battery to gearbox etc and they're fine. Now that the
> > weekend is approaching I might have more time to tinker around. So is
> > this definitely an earth problem and should I go ahead and rip out the
> > headlights and check/clean the wiring there or is there anywhere else
> > I should look for causes of this?
> >
> > Btw, don't now if it's related, but I just fitted lamp gaurds, front
> > and rear. However I don't know if the problem was there before or not.
> >
> > Thanks for any advice
> >
> > Dennis
> It would help if we knew what sort of vehicle it was, but the most likely
> problem is either a faulty earth to the gauge itself and the effect is
> through the instrument light circuit, or there is an actual temperature
> rise due to slipping fan belt caused by the extra load on the alternator.
> JD

 

D

Dennis

Guest

• Jul 15, 2004

• #6

Hi all. Thanks for the advice. Sorry for completely forgetting to say
what vehicle it is. It's a 1995 Defender 90 TDi300. The gauge needle
"bumping" is instant when turning on the lights. Kind of like giving
it an electric shock for a fraction of a second then goes back to
normal. While driving sometimes it would just freak out and instantly
jump to 3/4 hot. From there it would go back to normal either on it's
own (instantly back down to normal) or by turning off the lights. I
might add that during the day the gauge is always dead on the half way
mark no matter how hard I push the engine so I sure there isn't an
actual temperature rise.

Other lights don't have effect on this. Fuel gauge works perfectly
(thank god). I guess it could be the gauge lighting earth too as that
comes on with the headlights. I'll try giving it a go at the weekend.
Thanks for all the suggestions

Dennis

JD <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Dennis wrote:
>
> > Argh I hate auto electrics.
> >
> > My temperature gauge slightly bumps up when i turn on my headlights
> > and gives a slightly more violent bump if I put on high beam. Also,
> > with the headlights on, sometimes (when you're far away from home, so
> > as to give you the biggest fright) the temperature gauge will climb
> > from 1/2 to 3/4 but will go back down to 1/2 if I turn off the
> > headlights, and will sometimes go back down on it's own even if I
> > don't turn off the headlights. I also noticed the rear windscreen
> > heater light on the dash coming on very very dimly when it's off and
> > the rear door is opened and the headlights are on. The headlights work
> > perfectly (no dim, flickering thingies etc) and all other lights also
> > work perfectly and have no effect on the temp gauge.
> >
> > I'm VEEERY new to auto electrics so I don't know where to look. I
> > haven't had time to check much yet, but I did check the main earth
> > cables from battery to gearbox etc and they're fine. Now that the
> > weekend is approaching I might have more time to tinker around. So is
> > this definitely an earth problem and should I go ahead and rip out the
> > headlights and check/clean the wiring there or is there anywhere else
> > I should look for causes of this?
> >
> > Btw, don't now if it's related, but I just fitted lamp gaurds, front
> > and rear. However I don't know if the problem was there before or not.
> >
> > Thanks for any advice
> >
> > Dennis
> It would help if we knew what sort of vehicle it was, but the most likely
> problem is either a faulty earth to the gauge itself and the effect is
> through the instrument light circuit, or there is an actual temperature
> rise due to slipping fan belt caused by the extra load on the alternator.
> JD

 

A

Austin Shackles

Guest

• Jul 15, 2004

• #7

On or around 14 Jul 2004 06:28:20 -0700, [email protected] (Dennis)
enlightened us thusly:

>Argh I hate auto electrics.
>

what they said, plus there may be an instrument voltage regulator in there
somewhere as well.

--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"
George Orwell (1903 - 1950) Animal Farm

 

J

JD

Guest

• Jul 15, 2004

• #8

Dennis wrote:

> Hi all. Thanks for the advice. Sorry for completely forgetting to say
> what vehicle it is. It's a 1995 Defender 90 TDi300. The gauge needle
> "bumping" is instant when turning on the lights. Kind of like giving
> it an electric shock for a fraction of a second then goes back to
> normal. While driving sometimes it would just freak out and instantly
> jump to 3/4 hot. From there it would go back to normal either on it's
> own (instantly back down to normal) or by turning off the lights. I
> might add that during the day the gauge is always dead on the half way
> mark no matter how hard I push the engine so I sure there isn't an
> actual temperature rise.
>
> Other lights don't have effect on this. Fuel gauge works perfectly
> (thank god). I guess it could be the gauge lighting earth too as that
> comes on with the headlights. I'll try giving it a go at the weekend.
> Thanks for all the suggestions
>
> Dennis
>

Almost certainly the earth on the gauge. This is a wire joining the
attachment screws on the back of the gauge, and my guess is that the nut on
the temperature gauge or the one where the earth to all the gauges is, is
loose, and all that is required is to tighten it. May also be dirty. There
is no separate voltage regulator on this model.
JD

 

D

Dennis

Guest

• Jul 16, 2004

• #9

Thanks JD,
I'll rip open the dashboard at the weekend and I'll let you know how it goes

Dennis


JD <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Dennis wrote:
>
> > Hi all. Thanks for the advice. Sorry for completely forgetting to say
> > what vehicle it is. It's a 1995 Defender 90 TDi300. The gauge needle
> > "bumping" is instant when turning on the lights. Kind of like giving
> > it an electric shock for a fraction of a second then goes back to
> > normal. While driving sometimes it would just freak out and instantly
> > jump to 3/4 hot. From there it would go back to normal either on it's
> > own (instantly back down to normal) or by turning off the lights. I
> > might add that during the day the gauge is always dead on the half way
> > mark no matter how hard I push the engine so I sure there isn't an
> > actual temperature rise.
> >
> > Other lights don't have effect on this. Fuel gauge works perfectly
> > (thank god). I guess it could be the gauge lighting earth too as that
> > comes on with the headlights. I'll try giving it a go at the weekend.
> > Thanks for all the suggestions
> >
> > Dennis
> >
>
> Almost certainly the earth on the gauge. This is a wire joining the
> attachment screws on the back of the gauge, and my guess is that the nut on
> the temperature gauge or the one where the earth to all the gauges is, is
> loose, and all that is required is to tighten it. May also be dirty. There
> is no separate voltage regulator on this model.
> JD

 

M

Mike Buckley

Guest

• Jul 16, 2004

• #10

Dennis <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Thanks JD,
> I'll rip open the dashboard at the weekend and I'll let you know how it
goes
>
> Dennis


If you've not done this before, be VERY careful pulling the instrument pod
out from the dash - it's all to easy to break the instrument illumination
bulb holders away from the instruments and its a swine of a job to fix
them!!

If you plan on removing the steering wheel, (not really necessary but makes
the job much easier) may I respectfully suggest you slacken the nut but
don't remove it - when you are pulling the wheel away from the s/column it
tends to come free with a bit of a bang and can easily end up craking you in
the teeth ;-(

Mike

 

D

David French

Guest

• Jul 16, 2004

• #11

"Mike Buckley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> If you plan on removing the steering wheel, (not really necessary but
makes
> the job much easier) may I respectfully suggest you slacken the nut but
> don't remove it - when you are pulling the wheel away from the s/column it
> tends to come free with a bit of a bang and can easily end up craking you
in
> the teeth ;-(

I wish you'd posted that before...

 

M

Mike Buckley

Guest

• Jul 16, 2004

• #12

David French <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Mike Buckley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > If you plan on removing the steering wheel, (not really necessary but
> makes
> > the job much easier) may I respectfully suggest you slacken the nut but
> > don't remove it - when you are pulling the wheel away from the s/column
it
> > tends to come free with a bit of a bang and can easily end up craking
you
> in
> > the teeth ;-(
>
> I wish you'd posted that before...

Oh dear. Anyway, LOL - as it 'appens, I did!! http://snipurl.com/7t7t

(Sorry)

Mike.

 

J

JD

Guest

• Jul 14, 2004

• #13

Dennis wrote:

> Argh I hate auto electrics.
>
> My temperature gauge slightly bumps up when i turn on my headlights
> and gives a slightly more violent bump if I put on high beam. Also,
> with the headlights on, sometimes (when you're far away from home, so
> as to give you the biggest fright) the temperature gauge will climb
> from 1/2 to 3/4 but will go back down to 1/2 if I turn off the
> headlights, and will sometimes go back down on it's own even if I
> don't turn off the headlights. I also noticed the rear windscreen
> heater light on the dash coming on very very dimly when it's off and
> the rear door is opened and the headlights are on. The headlights work
> perfectly (no dim, flickering thingies etc) and all other lights also
> work perfectly and have no effect on the temp gauge.
>
> I'm VEEERY new to auto electrics so I don't know where to look. I
> haven't had time to check much yet, but I did check the main earth
> cables from battery to gearbox etc and they're fine. Now that the
> weekend is approaching I might have more time to tinker around. So is
> this definitely an earth problem and should I go ahead and rip out the
> headlights and check/clean the wiring there or is there anywhere else
> I should look for causes of this?
>
> Btw, don't now if it's related, but I just fitted lamp gaurds, front
> and rear. However I don't know if the problem was there before or not.
>
> Thanks for any advice
>
> Dennis
It would help if we knew what sort of vehicle it was, but the most likely
problem is either a faulty earth to the gauge itself and the effect is
through the instrument light circuit, or there is an actual temperature
rise due to slipping fan belt caused by the extra load on the alternator.
JD

 

D

Dennis

Guest

• Jul 21, 2004

• #14

Thanks all. Turned out it was the temp gauge earth or something in
there. Tightened/cleaned every connection I could find ... hasn't
manifested itself again

Thanks

Dennis

[email protected] (Dennis) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Argh I hate auto electrics.
>
> My temperature gauge slightly bumps up when i turn on my headlights
> and gives a slightly more violent bump if I put on high beam. Also,
> with the headlights on, sometimes (when you're far away from home, so
> as to give you the biggest fright) the temperature gauge will climb
> from 1/2 to 3/4 but will go back down to 1/2 if I turn off the
> headlights, and will sometimes go back down on it's own even if I
> don't turn off the headlights. I also noticed the rear windscreen
> heater light on the dash coming on very very dimly when it's off and
> the rear door is opened and the headlights are on. The headlights work
> perfectly (no dim, flickering thingies etc) and all other lights also
> work perfectly and have no effect on the temp gauge.
>
> I'm VEEERY new to auto electrics so I don't know where to look. I
> haven't had time to check much yet, but I did check the main earth
> cables from battery to gearbox etc and they're fine. Now that the
> weekend is approaching I might have more time to tinker around. So is
> this definitely an earth problem and should I go ahead and rip out the
> headlights and check/clean the wiring there or is there anywhere else
> I should look for causes of this?
>
> Btw, don't now if it's related, but I just fitted lamp gaurds, front
> and rear. However I don't know if the problem was there before or not.
>
> Thanks for any advice
>
> Dennis

 

E

EMB

Guest

• Jul 14, 2004

• #15

Dennis wrote:
> Argh I hate auto electrics.
>
> My temperature gauge slightly bumps up when i turn on my headlights
> and gives a slightly more violent bump if I put on high beam. Also,
> with the headlights on, sometimes (when you're far away from home, so
> as to give you the biggest fright) the temperature gauge will climb
> from 1/2 to 3/4 but will go back down to 1/2 if I turn off the
> headlights, and will sometimes go back down on it's own even if I
> don't turn off the headlights. I also noticed the rear windscreen
> heater light on the dash coming on very very dimly when it's off and
> the rear door is opened and the headlights are on.

Most likely guess by remote control from the other side of the world - a
dodgy earth connection for the dashboard. A quick check of the wiring
diagram should let you trace back to where the dash light circuit is
earthed - make sure the connection is clean.



--
EMB
change two to number to reply

 

D

Dennis

Guest

• Jul 16, 2004

• #16

Thanks JD,
I'll rip open the dashboard at the weekend and I'll let you know how it goes

Dennis


JD <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Dennis wrote:
>
> > Hi all. Thanks for the advice. Sorry for completely forgetting to say
> > what vehicle it is. It's a 1995 Defender 90 TDi300. The gauge needle
> > "bumping" is instant when turning on the lights. Kind of like giving
> > it an electric shock for a fraction of a second then goes back to
> > normal. While driving sometimes it would just freak out and instantly
> > jump to 3/4 hot. From there it would go back to normal either on it's
> > own (instantly back down to normal) or by turning off the lights. I
> > might add that during the day the gauge is always dead on the half way
> > mark no matter how hard I push the engine so I sure there isn't an
> > actual temperature rise.
> >
> > Other lights don't have effect on this. Fuel gauge works perfectly
> > (thank god). I guess it could be the gauge lighting earth too as that
> > comes on with the headlights. I'll try giving it a go at the weekend.
> > Thanks for all the suggestions
> >
> > Dennis
> >
>
> Almost certainly the earth on the gauge. This is a wire joining the
> attachment screws on the back of the gauge, and my guess is that the nut on
> the temperature gauge or the one where the earth to all the gauges is, is
> loose, and all that is required is to tighten it. May also be dirty. There
> is no separate voltage regulator on this model.
> JD

 

M

Mike Buckley

Guest

• Jul 16, 2004

• #17

Dennis <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Thanks JD,
> I'll rip open the dashboard at the weekend and I'll let you know how it
goes
>
> Dennis


If you've not done this before, be VERY careful pulling the instrument pod
out from the dash - it's all to easy to break the instrument illumination
bulb holders away from the instruments and its a swine of a job to fix
them!!

If you plan on removing the steering wheel, (not really necessary but makes
the job much easier) may I respectfully suggest you slacken the nut but
don't remove it - when you are pulling the wheel away from the s/column it
tends to come free with a bit of a bang and can easily end up craking you in
the teeth ;-(

Mike

 

D

David French

Guest

• Jul 16, 2004

• #18

"Mike Buckley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> If you plan on removing the steering wheel, (not really necessary but
makes
> the job much easier) may I respectfully suggest you slacken the nut but
> don't remove it - when you are pulling the wheel away from the s/column it
> tends to come free with a bit of a bang and can easily end up craking you
in
> the teeth ;-(

I wish you'd posted that before...

 

M

Mike Buckley

Guest

• Jul 16, 2004

• #19

David French <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Mike Buckley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > If you plan on removing the steering wheel, (not really necessary but
> makes
> > the job much easier) may I respectfully suggest you slacken the nut but
> > don't remove it - when you are pulling the wheel away from the s/column
it
> > tends to come free with a bit of a bang and can easily end up craking
you
> in
> > the teeth ;-(
>
> I wish you'd posted that before...

Oh dear. Anyway, LOL - as it 'appens, I did!! http://snipurl.com/7t7t

(Sorry)

Mike.

 

D

Dennis

Guest

• Jul 21, 2004

• #20

Thanks all. Turned out it was the temp gauge earth or something in
there. Tightened/cleaned every connection I could find ... hasn't
manifested itself again

Thanks

Dennis

[email protected] (Dennis) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Argh I hate auto electrics.
>
> My temperature gauge slightly bumps up when i turn on my headlights
> and gives a slightly more violent bump if I put on high beam. Also,
> with the headlights on, sometimes (when you're far away from home, so
> as to give you the biggest fright) the temperature gauge will climb
> from 1/2 to 3/4 but will go back down to 1/2 if I turn off the
> headlights, and will sometimes go back down on it's own even if I
> don't turn off the headlights. I also noticed the rear windscreen
> heater light on the dash coming on very very dimly when it's off and
> the rear door is opened and the headlights are on. The headlights work
> perfectly (no dim, flickering thingies etc) and all other lights also
> work perfectly and have no effect on the temp gauge.
>
> I'm VEEERY new to auto electrics so I don't know where to look. I
> haven't had time to check much yet, but I did check the main earth
> cables from battery to gearbox etc and they're fine. Now that the
> weekend is approaching I might have more time to tinker around. So is
> this definitely an earth problem and should I go ahead and rip out the
> headlights and check/clean the wiring there or is there anywhere else
> I should look for causes of this?
>
> Btw, don't now if it's related, but I just fitted lamp gaurds, front
> and rear. However I don't know if the problem was there before or not.
>
> Thanks for any advice
>
> Dennis