I've been having problems with the temp gauge on my '95 916 and after doing some basic checks from tips from another forum, suspecting the gauge rather than the sensor, I purchased a used gauge sourced from the USA (half the price of a new unit). Now I've fitted it and am finding it's giving the same incorrect readings as the original. Either both gauges have the same fault or it lies elsewhere. I don't want to return the unit until I'm sure that it's the culprit. I've been trying to isolate the problem myself but haven't succeeded and am wondering if anyone can shed some light.
When connected and with the coolant at room temp (about 15 deg C) on switching on the ignition, the gauge goes almost to full right scale (actually about 110 deg C). Disconnecting the wires to the sensor makes no cange to this reading. I've checked the sensor on the bike by measuring the resistance across the terminals and it falls in the range given for this room temp in the handbook ie about 5 kohms. When measuring the voltage across the wires to the sensor (sensor disconnected, ignition on) it's about 8 volts which seems a bit low but I don't know what it should be. Across the terminals at the gauge its the full 12 volts. Is the wiring at fault? What further checks can I do? Is there somewhere where I can get the two gauges checked? The bike runs fine by the way and the fan doesn't come on under normal winter running conditions.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
When connected and with the coolant at room temp (about 15 deg C) on switching on the ignition, the gauge goes almost to full right scale (actually about 110 deg C). Disconnecting the wires to the sensor makes no cange to this reading. I've checked the sensor on the bike by measuring the resistance across the terminals and it falls in the range given for this room temp in the handbook ie about 5 kohms. When measuring the voltage across the wires to the sensor (sensor disconnected, ignition on) it's about 8 volts which seems a bit low but I don't know what it should be. Across the terminals at the gauge its the full 12 volts. Is the wiring at fault? What further checks can I do? Is there somewhere where I can get the two gauges checked? The bike runs fine by the way and the fan doesn't come on under normal winter running conditions.
Does anyone have any suggestions?