Author Topic: Bouncing temperature gauge (Read 6665 times)

iamcreepingdeath · « **on:** July 30, 2009, 09:14:21 PM »

Hey guys,

The most recent development for my 1991 318is is that the temp gauge will "bounce" up past the normal midpoint sopt to the 3/4 spot near the hot end, and then stick on that spot and then "bounce" back.

The gauge does not steadily move up or down, it will just jump to a scary position that makes me want to shut off my car and coast off the road.

But since it jumps and doesn't steadily move, i suspect it is not my engine overheating, but either bubbles in the coolant or a bad sensor or something.

But i bled my coolant by parking on an incline and opening the bleed valve and soaking myself in boiling water, and the problem persists

What can it be?

Thanks so much guys.

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2009, 10:49:55 PM »

I am having the same problem right now but mine steadily gets to about 1:00 then it will bounce around between 1/2 and 3/4 temp

romeomike · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2009, 01:14:30 AM »

Check for a 7mm nut on the back of the temp gauge in the instrument cluster. Ensure it's there and tightened up. That cured my gauge bounce.

Do the same with the gas gauge while you have the instrument cluster out.

iamcreepingdeath · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2009, 09:13:41 PM »

Quote from: romeomike;76119

Check for a 7mm nut on the back of the temp gauge in the instrument cluster. Ensure it's there and tightened up. That cured my gauge bounce.

Do the same with the gas gauge while you have the instrument cluster out.

hmm.... i shall do this. Thanks for the help!!

twinpop171 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2009, 12:01:10 PM »

Quote from: romeomike;76119

Check for a 7mm nut on the back of the temp gauge in the instrument cluster. Ensure it's there and tightened up. That cured my gauge bounce.

Do the same with the gas gauge while you have the instrument cluster out.

I wish that I would have known this when I had my old eta DD. The temp guage had an intermittent "bounce" to it.

iamcreepingdeath · « **Reply #5 on:** August 01, 2009, 02:30:45 PM »

well its good to know at least my engine isn't overheating.

xwill112x · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2009, 12:09:23 PM »

it may be a bad ground some where as well, just thinking out loud.

Choking Hazard · « **Reply #7 on:** August 05, 2009, 10:14:17 AM »

I bought a candy thermometer so I could see that the apparent overheating I could not fix wasn't even real- AFTER I had replaced / flushed everything in the system.

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2009, 12:07:50 PM »

I took my cluster out yesterday, the grounds were tight so I loosened and tightened them a few times that had good contact, then I determined that the fan clutch was bad so I locked up the clutch with some safety wire and the cor runs too cold now, time to put in the electric fan I've had sitting around.

iamcreepingdeath · « **Reply #9 on:** August 06, 2009, 09:47:13 PM »

Quote from: Choking Hazard;76368

I bought a candy thermometer so I could see that the apparent overheating I could not fix wasn't even real- AFTER I had replaced / flushed everything in the system.

hmmm.... this is interesting.....

keflaman · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2009, 11:32:56 AM »

Here's a few other things to check http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7718.

iamcreepingdeath · « **Reply #11 on:** August 07, 2009, 02:00:12 PM »

Quote from: keflaman;76492

Here's a few other things to check http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7718.

hmmm... that is interesting... if this problem continues i will have to take apart my gauge cluster. I actually have another gauge cluster w/ a non-working odometer, but i can yank the temp gauge assembly from that.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2009, 05:16:47 PM »

Check the connector on the sensor itself. Some people have had an issue where the wire breaks & makes intermittent contact with engine vibrations.

SaCock · « **Reply #13 on:** August 27, 2009, 04:25:30 PM »

Could anyone please direct me to a supplier for an oil temp/pressure gauge for a -34? It is the old style gauge and is playing up on me.

iamcreepingdeath · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2009, 10:41:28 PM »

go to http://www.pelicanparts.com

Author Topic: Bouncing temperature gauge (Read 6665 times)

SaCock