88 525e e28 temp gage fail, fit aftermarket?

Budge525 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 05:57 AM

My gauge is no good,only indicates within blue range. (I checked sensor and wiring). I'm thinking a replacement cluster will be hard to find or very expensive. I'm considering a gucci aftermarket dash mounted gage?? Anyone tried this? Will they work with a stock BMW sensor?? I'm not comfortable without good temp indication.

fourdoorfanatic · #2 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 05:45 PM

maybe your thermostat is stuck open? do you have good heat out the vents?

Budge525 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 10:41 PM

I will try the heater, but wouldn't the temp get above the blue range in any case on a good drive? The thermostat housing gets pretty hot and it's summer here. I also tried a haynes manual tip by shorting the sensor wire to earth, it should go full scale but it only travels to the upper end of the blue area.

Budge525 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-05-2009, 05:58 AM

Not a very active forum here, but I tried the heater and it works. I opened up the cluster and applied a AAA battery to the gage, and it works fine. I resoldered the joints, just to be sure. Still no change once reassembled. Planning to try a new sensor and perhaps a thermostat for good measure.