General Temp Gauge

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General Temp Gauge

Joined
Aug 23, 2015
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Location
Aberdeenshire
Hi All,

I've had an issue with the temperature gauge fluctuating slightly over the past month or so and not a huge amount of heat from the heater. Changed thermostat and coolant today hoping that it would fix the issue but......

Warmed car up after refilling system, gauge came up to half way and stayed there, heater got hot, no leaking etc, all good. Switched off, got cleaned up and drove into town. Temperature gauge didn't get over 1/4 whilst driving, only went up to 1/2 when stopped in traffic and then dropped as soon as I started to move again.

At a set of lights it dropped to nothing and the orange check engine light came on with the message "check engine". Switched off and started again, no light and the gauge went back up to 1/4 where it stayed for the 15 mile drive home.

No leaks, heater getting hotter than before the change, coolant level not dropped and definitely not overheating. I think it is probably running cooler than it should be. Any ideas? I'm thinking that the new thermostat (Original Birth from Shop 4 Parts) may be duff?

1.4 8V

Cheers

Ben
 
Maybe a silly question but is the tstat in the right way? DoD you get the code read also?
 
Thermostat is integral to housing and it can only go one way up due to bolt positions.

Not read code yet, was dark and cold when I got back, will do tomorrow.

Cheers

Ben
 
Checked the coolant temperature sensor? I'd have checked that first if the temperature gauge was randomly fluctuating from hot to cold etc. Probably getting a false signal.
 
Best way to check thermostat if you think it may be faulty is to put it in a saucepan filled with water and heat it up. Find out what temperature your stat should operate at and keep watch with a thermometer until it does. Could also try this with your old one to see if it really was at fault to begin with?
 
Thanks for the replies.

New thermostat had a coolant sensor fitted to it and as sure as I can be that there are no air locks. Cap was left off over night and level of coolant had dropped a bit overnight telling me that some air was purged overnight. I also ran up to temperature today with the cap off and the heaters on as a final check for air.

Was out today and the temp gauge only made it to half way when stopped in traffic, the rest of the time it was at about 1/4 sometimes above,sometimes below.

It did not seem as hot as it should under the hood at the end of the drive either which is making me think that the thermostat may be sticking open.

If it was just the sender for the gauge then I'd expect the heater to still be roasting and things under the bonnet to be a little warmer.

Tried to read codes today but don't seem to be able to scan DTC codes with Fiat MES (only have free version)

Cheers

Ben
 
Using the free multiecuscan download, connect to the engine ECU and in the Parameters section, tick the engine temperature parameter. This is probably the best and most accurate way of monitoring the coolant temperature.

Monitor this from cold start to when the fan cuts in, (should be around 15 minutes) you can also tick a parameter for monitoring the cooling fan too.

From here you may find whether you car is operating to the specified running temperature or not (indicating wrong thermostat supplied/fitted). You may also see in real time if the temperature is fluctuating (faulty sensor).

Check all of the coolant bleed nipples too... cant remember off hand where they are. Just in case you have a small air lock somewhere.

Let us know what you find.
 
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Using MES 2.9 and it won't allow me to connect, I get a message saying that this option is not available in free version. All I can do with MES is "Scan" (F11) or "Simulate" (ctl+F10) and scan simply tells me the modules on the car. All options in MES are in red for me. Any ideas?

Cheers

Ben
 
Really? Sorry, thought you could with the free version. You could get the licence for about 40 quid... Might be worth investing if you plan on keeping the car for a while. Perhaps a free app like torque pro will do, just to measure the engine temperature. Might need a wireless obd2 though.
 
Yeah,

Thanks, free MES for me has not been of any use at all, should probably buy it! Tried OBD Auto Doctor which told me there were no DTC's.

I've not seen any mention of bleed valves on the GP other than the one on the top of the radiator which was closed only when a good flow was coming out of it during filling. Had a look today but couldn't see anything and a search only pulled up bleed valves for Punto Mk1 / 2,not GP.

Cap off overnight then running up to temp with cap off and heaters on hot should have purged all air. Managed to expel all from a Hilux Surf that way and are notoriously difficult to get air free.

Cheers

Ben
 
Thanks Andy. How do I check map vs coolant, is that a paid MES job?

Earths are OK to my knowledge, main earth strap changed recently and all others checked and cleaned as per your guide.

Not checked voltage but have no reason to think there's an issue. Cranks quickly, and lights hold up when all other electrics are switched on, (best test with no multimeter!)

Cheers

Ben
 
Thanks Andy. How do I check map vs coolant, is that a paid MES job?

Earths are OK to my knowledge, main earth strap changed recently and all others checked and cleaned as per your guide.

Not checked voltage but have no reason to think there's an issue. Cranks quickly, and lights hold up when all other electrics are switched on, (best test with no multimeter!)

Cheers

Ben

yes should be checkable on MES

if you have a basic elm code reader or a bluetooth one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-OBD2-...015268?hash=item4d1d6ab924:g:I6YAAOSwymxVP1gO

and a android phone (or access to one)

you can get torque lite app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torquefree&hl=en_GB

(i keep the dongle in the car its been used more by my mates than me :p )

pics to follow
 
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Eg

when the car is cold eg first thing in a morning after been stood all night

are the intake and coolant close to each other if one sensor has failed you might get some random reading -40 for example
 

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Thanks Andy, that makes sense. I'm OK with SU carbs, distributors, timing lights and spanners but all this sensor stuff is fairly new to me!
Seen torque, will go get the Bluetooth thing ordered as my elm is a USB job so won't work for the android apps.

Many thanks

Ben
 
Thanks Andy, that makes sense. I'm OK with SU carbs, distributors, timing lights and spanners but all this sensor stuff is fairly new to me!
Seen torque, will go get the Bluetooth thing ordered as my elm is a USB job so won't work for the android apps.

Many thanks

Ben


obviously the MES is far more detailed (air bags / abs/ et all) but the torque is very handy and cheap

did you bleed the radiator after the stat change?>
 
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