Temp gauge higher with new sensor

[Vanagator]

I was in central Mexico when my temp gauge died. Had to replace it with an autozone sensor that looked the same and was specified for a 1986 vanagon. (yep autozones in Mexico)
However it reads higher than what it did before which was always about at the LED bubble. Now Usually about 3/4.
Questioning if i should replace it now that I have a new one from Vancafe or if it is dependable like it is.

[r39o]

Did you introduce air into your system when you changed the sensor?????

Also, the sensor may not really be the one you need. Only way to tell for sure is to measure the resistance a known temperatures using the Bentley as a guide.
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[Vanagator]

Yes I did get air in the system but followed the manual in filling and bleeding system. I suppose I'll just keep the sensor there since it appears to be working, I've put on about 1,000 miles or so with this new sensor.

[Ahwahnee]

If the engine temp is okay and it is just a matter of changing the calibration of the sender... you can make a simple harness addition by putting male & female spade connectors on each end of a resistor.

The patch is then plugged onto the sensor and the wire to the dash plugged into the patch.

You'd have to experiment a bit to find what resistance gives the gauge reading you like -- my guess would be if you got a pack of (approx) 20 ohm or 30 ohm resistors from Radio Shack you could find some combination that worked.

[Tom Powell]

Vanagon temperature needles vary from one vehicle to another and the light is probably more important than the needle position. 3/4 is more typical than at the led. "If it works, don't fix it."

Aloha
tp

[Vanagator]

Hey thanks Ahwahnee for the info on calibration, veeerrry interesting.
Hearing how TPowell says that a needle at about 3/4 isnt out of the ordinary makes me intersted in where most vanagon temp needles do fall. I thought i remember most are at the led and mine used to be.
Anyhow- Seeing how Ive gone 3,000 miles (not 1,000 like I mentioned) thru Mexico with this new sensor, I'm really thinking to leave it as is.

BUT, does anyone know if the led light has a seperate sensor from the one the operates the needle, that makes it go off when temp is too hot? I assume it does. Thanks.

[BillM]

I dealt with various sensors giving different readings a few years back. I suggest swapping out with the one from van-cafe will give you a more accurate reading. I tried to find my old post but searching on an iPhone is difficult.
While using a resistor to try and calibrate the gauge sounds good in theory it is a bad idea as it will ruin the blinking led function that has saved me from melting down more than one engine.
You can use a pack of resistors to verify that your gauge and wiring is working correctly though. Mark Drilloc has written a few great posts on what resistors to use and what values you should see. I think his Samba name is
Crazyvwvanman or somethig like that. I will search for the posting you need when I get home and edit this post with it.
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Bill M
87 Westy

[Ahwahnee]