Temperature Guage not working

[DesmoDave]

Newbie and new owner of a 2002 T4 2.5 TDI 300 van. Loving it but the temperature gauge is not working. Had it plugged in to VAG COM at nearby dealer and running the engine shows that the sensor seems to be working as temperature rises as the engine warms up and the engine runs really well. It was suggested that a new dash would fix it.!! I have had the van a week or so. Not happy doing long runs without any indication of what the engine is doing.

Any fixes or advice out there really appreciated?

[Sunny43.5]

Rather than replacing the whole binnacle [I dont think the temp gauge is able to be separated] there is one on Ebay second hand VW T4 Transporter Caravelle 2.5 TDI Speedometer instrument Cluster 7D0920805D | eBay You may be able to set up a separate temp gauge without much hassle , most auto accessory stores would have them .

[DesmoDave]

Rather than replacing the whole binnacle [I dont think the temp gauge is able to be separated] there is one on Ebay second hand VW T4 Transporter Caravelle 2.5 TDI Speedometer instrument Cluster 7D0920805D | eBay You may be able to set up a separate temp gauge without much hassle , most auto accessory stores would have them .

Thanks for the info. Is the binnacle uniquely coded in anyway as the speedometer/odometer is part of it or would a replacement pick up that data from the ECU? Would anyone know if there is a multi- plug to the rear or individual wiring to each gauge? Just wondering (hoping) if this is a connection issue to the temperature gauge?

[Seano]

Mine does the same thing...sometimes the gauge works, sometimes it doesn't. Haven't got around to fiddling with it.

[Sunny43.5]

Thanks for the info. Is the binnacle uniquely coded in anyway as the speedometer/odometer is part of it or would a replacement pick up that data from the ECU? Would anyone know if there is a multi- plug to the rear or individual wiring to each gauge? Just wondering (hoping) if this is a connection issue to the temperature gauge?

There is only one plug for all the functions all the dials etc are on a printed circuit board , you will need to check the kilometres as the replacement one will have the kays from the van it was in . My sons T4 binnacle started smoking one day [never found the cause just some part of the circuit board cooked itself ] I bought another binnacle from Ebay and the kilometres were nearly the same so we didn,t worry about it . Just remmeber yours is diesel so check the supplier as the revs will be out if you use av petrol one plus other things as well glow plug etc .Maybe you could remove the binnacle and check for a dry joint on the circuit board that can be a problem as they get older .

[jets]

the engine shows that the sensor seems to be working as temperature rises as the engine warms up and the engine runs really well.

It may still be a sensor problem because it has 2 parts. Scroll down to post #8 in the link below.

T4 DIY & How to.

[LogicprObe]

Long runs are usually OK...........it's the stuck in traffic that usually taxes the temperature.
But having said that, it is disconcerting to have no gauge..........I have a T5!

[DesmoDave]

It may still be a sensor problem because it has 2 parts. Scroll down to post #8 in the link below.

T4 DIY & How to.

Thanks for that, certainly worth a go first, then a fall back position to check connections at gauge end and go from there or fit an engine surface temperature auxiliary gauge.

[DesmoDave]

Update. Sensor changed over with new OE VW part, no joy. Connections at gauge end next!