Gauge wiring issues

dannyford · Jan 13, 2014

Im after some advice for my 300 tdi defender. I have just replaced the dash lights with 501led bulbs. When it came to test the brightness, the fuel gauge shot up to full and the temp gauge wouldn't budge, showing stone cold even tho the engine was warm.

I'm guessing it's not a fuse problem as I'm sure they both run on the same fuse, and if it had blown the fuel wouldn't move. I'm guessing I must of shorted it somewhere when replacing the bulbs. Any idea where I should look first and are these 2 problems linked??

I've had a read through the search but nothing to say these are problems that might be linked,

Thanks in advance,
Danny

tacr2man · Jan 13, 2014

have you accidentally replaced a warning light with a led bulb , instead of just the panel light bulbs ?

dannyford · Jan 13, 2014

I've replaced x2 for the speedo and one each on the fuel/temp gauges. They are the small side light led (t10 501b) I've tried putting the original back in but still same problem.

dannyford · Jan 13, 2014

So I've taken the gauges out and gone through everyone,checking soldering, connections internals of gauges. I've put it all back together with new insulation and fitted back in the truck.

When turning the ignition,the fuel needle rises to full. When I disconnect the connection from the fuel tank, the needle drops back to empty so it looks like the gauge is getting power and is earthed.will check over this again in the morning. Hopefully the temp gauge will be sorted as well.

Dan_Trials · Jan 13, 2014

Sounds like a dead short some where, you may have disturbed some of the wiring that goes away into the bulkhead. Gain access to it and do some basic checks using a multimeter.

Pauleh · Jan 14, 2014

If the fuel gauges goes straight to full then it's not earthed properly - get a long bit of wire and earth the gauge straight to the battery or chassis and look at the gauge to see if it goes back to normal reading

dannyford · Jan 14, 2014

So I tried earthing like you said and no luck, I was sure all wires were ok. I picked up a new gauge for a £5 from the local breakers and fitted, problem solved. When I changed the bulbs I must of knocked something internal in the gauge causing it to short.

Thanks for your help everyone

Dan_Trials · Jan 14, 2014

dannyford said:
So I tried earthing like you said and no luck, I was sure all wires were ok. I picked up a new gauge for a £5 from the local breakers and fitted, problem solved. When I changed the bulbs I must of knocked something internal in the gauge causing it to short.

Thanks for your help everyone

Has this also sorted the issue with the temperature gauge?

dannyford · Jan 14, 2014

Dan_Trials said:
Has this also sorted the issue with the temperature gauge?

well, I was a numpty when I took the temp gauge apart and I put the terminals back on the wrong way around, they are on the opposite way to the fuel gauge and I just followed that when re assembling.

Thanks for your advice tho mate

Dan_Trials · Jan 14, 2014

dannyford said:
well, I was a numpty when I took the temp gauge apart and I put the terminals back on the wrong way around, they are on the opposite way to the fuel gauge and I just followed that when re assembling.

Thanks for your advice tho mate

Ah right, was trying to figure out how one could affect the other in that way :lol:

Gauge wiring issues

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