My fiat ducatto panel van has a problem. When i switch on the ignition the temperature gauge needle shoots to the halfway mark, is there a reason for this.
I am on holiday in the far north of Scotland, and have to make for home in oxfordshire in the next few days before i can get it to a garage. Please advise.

That fault is a common one. Your engine will be fine. What you can try is to remove the binnacle (the part above the speedo/rev counter). Disconnect the plug for the temp gauge wiring and reconnect. it would also help if you use a bit of wire to earth out the disconnected wiring (with the ignition switched off of course). Many people blame a build up of static for the problem (hence earthing out the wiring).


You could also disconnect the plug at the sender unit and clean the connection. There are 2 sender units, you need to check the left hand one, which is the one inboard of the thermostat. If none of that works then you need a new sender unit.

Many, many thanks maingate. You have eased my mind.

Arthurbuhund