Own Service, but what is this alien?

Cohn · Post by **Cohn** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 11:32 am

Hey fellas

I just wanted to let you all know that i succesfully replaced the oil in my car and replaced the alternator and aircon/power belts! (clap clap clap!)

I think that is pretty impressive for a 19 year old who has never looked under a car in his life

Anyway, i have some detective work for the pro's around here,

I have a 95GPX, instead of the Volt meter which most of you have, i have an OIL TEMP GAUGE alongside the battery gauge.

Now it has never worked at all. So, in other words, it is not switched on?, i.e no lights and the meter does not change.

What i have done is removed the top of the dash to look behind the gauges, and i have noticed that the oil gauge was fit in as an aftermarket piece, because the back area sort of looks chipped away.

SO, how this relates to my service is as follows...

When i looked at my sump plug from under the car, there is an electronice wire connected to the actual plug which at the other end has an unconnected adapter (so it was sort of hanging there).

I looked around to see if i could find the connection for it, and i did!, connected to my bonnet i found the other side of it and i 'remarried' them.

What i was thinking is that maybe that cable coming out of the sump plug is actually the oil temperature measure, and that it is some how related to my gauge.

The problem is that even after i reconnected the two, the gauge is still not working? so i really would love some help here guys

It's just a shame, because everything else in my car is kosher, aside from this gauge that has never really worked?

Hope you can help!

Cohn

Cohn · Post by **Cohn** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 11:39 am

oh shite, and another thing is wanted to ask,

I used Shell Helix Ultra 5w 40, is this ok? and what really does it mean. Also why was it so expensive?

Recap:

1. Praise for my handi work
2. What is that on sump plug
3. Is it related to my oil gauge
4. why isn't my gauge working
5. is the oil i used ok?

Thanks!

Cohn

TheSentry · Post by **TheSentry** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 3:05 pm

I can't tell u why the gauge isn't working, but the wire connected to your sump plug is for the oil temp sensor. Now that should send a reading to your gauge and show u whats happening with the oil.

And the oil u used is fine. I'm currently running Shell Helix Ultra, and it's alright. It's expensive because it's synthetic.

Also, big ups on your handy work.

MADFTO · Post by **MADFTO** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 6:59 pm

12v power might not be connected to the gauge, if it doesn't light up, that's probably the reason.

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 10:39 pm

Is there a manufacturer on the gauge? They might be of help.

I have this prob too, how ever my gauge is mechanical. I found it useless trying to find info from my manufacturer, but it might be different for you.

Gauges are so fiddly, man, espesially the sensor. In my case I have done everything possible, and i'm prob gonna get a new one,but it's hard, as nothing matches the other vacuum gauge I have.

Cohn · Post by **Cohn** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 12:20 am

Hi again,

Well the Gauge is a Mitsubishi Genuine Oil Temp,

But it's not working what so ever. I mean, nothing is working,

It's just sitting there in the hub doing nothing.

How do i know if the 12v is connected or not?

What does the plug look like?

Any more help would be fantastic

Thanks again

Cohn

MADFTO · Post by **MADFTO** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 11:04 am

Honestly I don't know, but I suspect there should be three wires coming from the gauge.

A sensor wire, a live and a ground . . .

Might be all in one plug but should try to find out what comes out of the back of the gauge.

rxboy · Post by **rxboy** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 1:13 pm

Cohn wrote:I used Shell Helix Ultra 5w 40, is this ok? and what really does it mean. Also why was it so expensive?

The first number is the visosity of the oil at low temps and the 2nd number is the visosity at high temps.

If you're using your car for everyday driving and not racing, then I would recommend using a 10w 40 oil. The 5w may be too thin and not providing enough protection. I do not believe that the morning temperatures in Sydney warrant using a 5w oil, but that's just my opinion

.

If u need more info on oils, then have a look at this previous thread:
http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... 94&start=0

By the way, good job on the major service

Any chance of a guide/tutorial

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 10:15 pm

a 10W is well enough for cold mornings, even if ya live in tassie.

I wonder if using a 0W or 5W has any relation to cam seal leaks etc.

I've used 10W to 15W all my life, over 100,000kms on the car, no oil leaks.

RallyMad · Post by **RallyMad** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 2:24 pm

Cohn, I'm not sure either but from what you've said I'd suspect if the sensor in the sump plug might be stuffed. That might have been why it was not connected, maybe the previous owner didn't want to fix it, or it wasn't worth the effort to him or her.

By the way good work, I'm allows afraid of stuffing things up.

paladin · Post by **paladin** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 3:21 pm

well first thing i owuld do...
ask a sparky they probibly have the best idea

Theremin · Post by **Theremin** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:44 pm

If you can't fix the oil temp gauge, I have a spare FTO clock (which works).

DZYRME · Post by **DZYRME** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 2:13 pm

Cohn wrote:
How do i know if the 12v is connected or not?

Cohn

If you have a multimeter or one of those screwdrivers that light up when you put current through it, you will be able to determine if power is going to the gauge. But you will have to do it with the Key in the ACC or ON position. Otherwise you will never get a reading.