Temp gauge not working

Hello all, I have been using my 89 cab gti as it is roof down weather, yesterday my temp gauge stopped working and hasn't come on since, any ideas what it may be

thanks in advance

Steve 

Take the spade connector off the sensor and earth it to the engine block, turn the ignition on and see if the gauge works and goes into the read. You dont need to run the engine to do this.
If the gauge works it could be the sensor that not working. Also check the wire between the spade connector and the wire as they can be held on by a few stands of wire, if so cut of and renew the spade connector.

thanks for the response, i have cleaned up the connector on the sensor and renewed the plug on the wire but still nothing, i have ordered a new sensor from my local car spares and it will be here tomorrow, am i best to not use the car till its sorted?

steve

It should be fine to use, mine works when it wants to as I have a fault with the dash, been like it for 3 years now!
I have a oil temputure guage on the MFA, the oil is cooled by the water so I just keep an eye on that, not sure the carb feed cars have one?

As long as you check coolant levels etc on a regular basis you should be fine, but if steam comes out of the engine on it smells hot stop driving…

Did you hold the spade connector onto the engine block and turned the ignition on to see if the guage goes right to the max? (you need someone else to look at the guage or hold the connector)

Ok thanks for that, i took the spade connector off and held it on the engine block but nothing happned, i have traced the wire back as much as possible and all looks ok, i replaced the spade connector for a new one and chased the wire down and fitted a new section but still nothing!!!!

Just to check, you are working on the sensor and connector on the metal pipe which comes out from the head between cylinders 3 and 4 and nearest to the rubber water hose which goes to the top of the radiator?

Hi Mark, yes that is the one I have been working on

Steve 

have a look at relay 42/43 above the fusebox, trace the red/yel and/or blue/yel wires looking for bodgyness and corrodedness.

if all looks well earth the terminal with the red/yel or blue/yel wire, if gauge goes to full the wire is snapped somewhere between fusebox/relay and engine bay. if not its after the relay/fusebox or from fusebox to clocks. try wiggling the clock plug, and r unplug it to check the condition of the pins and clock connector