oil temp. gauge
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,273
Likes: 7
From:
RE: oil temp. gauge
I would think either the sending unit or wiring. try grounding the sender wire to check gauge like suggested and then check continuity of the sender. I have the Wally's unit and no problems at all. It has worked well from day one, been in for over a year. I agree oil tank is not the best location but it does give you an idea of the general temp of the engine oil since I also run a cooler.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: New Smyrna Beach, FL
RE: oil temp. gauge
McEwan gauge in the pan. No teflon tape. If the sender is the ground, then why did the instructions call for a ground connection to the gauge via the wiring harness? Is the ground wire in the harness for the light inside the gauge only? Power to the gauge is via the wiring harness connection. Does the circuit then complete when the sender heats up and provides the ground? I added an additional ground wire from the ground post of the gauge to the bikes frame. Could this be a problem? I did it as a last ditch effort to fix.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
RE: oil temp. gauge
Try this.........
Sometimes the sender in the pan does not get a good ground because of the gasket, plus there is paint under the bolt heads. Remove one of the pan bolts, scrape away the paint, and replace the bolt using a star washer.
Sometimes the sender in the pan does not get a good ground because of the gasket, plus there is paint under the bolt heads. Remove one of the pan bolts, scrape away the paint, and replace the bolt using a star washer.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9,486
Likes: 4
From: Hico, TX (once home to Billy the Kid)
RE: oil temp. gauge
The dealer just sold me a Temp Gauge and an adapter to install it.
He said it goes between the oil filter mount and the filter.
Is that true?
The catalog/parts said it was needed when installed.
Where in the oil pan would the sender be installed?
Any pics of that anywhere?
Thanks,
He said it goes between the oil filter mount and the filter.
Is that true?
The catalog/parts said it was needed when installed.
Where in the oil pan would the sender be installed?
Any pics of that anywhere?
Thanks,
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
From: Bulldog Country
RE: oil temp. gauge
If you install it that way, you're in for a lot of work. I got mine from Wallys http://www.wallyscycleworld.com/virt...amp;PVSID=3013, comes with the adaptor that replaces the 2nd plug hole in the oil pan (not the drain). Easy install
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Alleghany Co., NC and SW Florida
RE: oil temp. gauge
rocknrod, I have that setup (HD oil gauge with sender in the oil return line between the engine and transmission.
While I think this is the best place for the sending unit (measures temp of oil entering the engine from the pan and is protected from the elements and debris) it is a realPITA install. I did mine myself, worked for 5K and then had a zero pressure reading from both the light and the oil pressure gauge. Reason, the line where the sensor was installed was "sucking" air due to the loosening of the clamp supplied by HD with the kit. Appears this is common and a known problem as the dealer I went to thinking my oil pressure gauge OR pump was defective called HD and the first thing they asked was about an Oil Temp gauge installed.
The dealer re-installed it using different clamps and it has worked fine for 10Ksince. They said they were going to tell parts to inform folks that they NEVER want to have to install this thing again. Very little work space and requires fiddling with fittings since the brass pipe the sensor goes into is not exactly the right length to make the install simple. Add to that that the hose clamps they supply tend to loosen for whatever reason and it is a chinese fire drill and success is hit and miss without using a very high quality clamp.
If it were me to do again, either pay the dealer to install it (watch the mechanic who gets the job curse) OR use a step down bushing and install the sensor in the casting plug in front of the oil pan. Also, IF you are replacing an air temp gauge in your fairing, just use that wiring andskip all the other nonsense you don't need to do.
Good luck with it, properly installed it is nice to have. Usually doesn't register for the first few miles untill the oil reaches a "threshold" temp. but seeing the temp run around 190 normally and then rise to about 220 climbing hills or cruising at 80 or so lets you know whats going on.
EZ
While I think this is the best place for the sending unit (measures temp of oil entering the engine from the pan and is protected from the elements and debris) it is a realPITA install. I did mine myself, worked for 5K and then had a zero pressure reading from both the light and the oil pressure gauge. Reason, the line where the sensor was installed was "sucking" air due to the loosening of the clamp supplied by HD with the kit. Appears this is common and a known problem as the dealer I went to thinking my oil pressure gauge OR pump was defective called HD and the first thing they asked was about an Oil Temp gauge installed.
The dealer re-installed it using different clamps and it has worked fine for 10Ksince. They said they were going to tell parts to inform folks that they NEVER want to have to install this thing again. Very little work space and requires fiddling with fittings since the brass pipe the sensor goes into is not exactly the right length to make the install simple. Add to that that the hose clamps they supply tend to loosen for whatever reason and it is a chinese fire drill and success is hit and miss without using a very high quality clamp.
If it were me to do again, either pay the dealer to install it (watch the mechanic who gets the job curse) OR use a step down bushing and install the sensor in the casting plug in front of the oil pan. Also, IF you are replacing an air temp gauge in your fairing, just use that wiring andskip all the other nonsense you don't need to do.
Good luck with it, properly installed it is nice to have. Usually doesn't register for the first few miles untill the oil reaches a "threshold" temp. but seeing the temp run around 190 normally and then rise to about 220 climbing hills or cruising at 80 or so lets you know whats going on.
EZ