Instrument panel advice

[Mrs C]

Hi Guys
Not sure if im posting in the right place, so feel free to put me straight!
Im just after picking someones brains (keep it clean!). After a bit of drama with a retro fit amp-meter going up in smoke on my MKII last week, I stripped the instrument panel out to investigate. Luckily, the issue was caused by the fact that the bulb for the gauge had been earthed through a fascia trim, and being a bit of a poor earth had therefore gradually burnt out the wiring whenever I had been driving with the lights on, and once it had been stripped out, everything worked fine! I was also over the moon to discover that this was the cause of my battery drain!
Anyway, I ramble... My instrument panel appears to have two main gauges (looks like this is standard) fitted into a four gauge fascia (which im guessing isn't standard). I just want to know what the two main gauges would have been from new. The one on the centre left is my speedo/tacho, and the one on the centre right is currently a blank dial (which im guessing could be used as a rev counter) with a fuel gauge on one edge and a coolant temp gauge on the other. The temp gauge doesn't work, the needle goes backward as soon as you turn the engine on, and I think the issue is that the gauge is incorrect, rather than there being a fault on the car. Can anyone confirm what this right hand gauge would have been originally? And where can I hijack a suitable replacement from?
The two retro-fit gauges either side are an oil pressure gauge to the left and the burnt out amp-meter to the right. I will probable replace the amp-meter with a clock, unless anyone has any better suggestions?
I should have thought to take a couple of pics, to make things easier, but it late and cold, so will do that tomorrow!
Take care! Emma.

[Kilroy]

Hey Gal.

Cars without rev counters had a composite gauge on the right which featured fuel and temp.
Rev counter models had the arrangement shown in the pic.
This is from a Mk3, but is interchangeable with the Mk2.
I would assume that the wiring loom was designed to accommodate either.
In my experience, the sender unit in the fuel tank has often been responsible for weird readings on the gauge.
They do tend to go open circuit too, which gives the 'emptier-than-empty' sort of reading.
If you are lucky, you might find that the connection to the sender unit needs cleaning up, and that could be all.
If you jack up the rear of the car and slide underneath you can access it quite easily.
Best not to alert your neighbours beforehand...

I think the layout of the Mk3 dash is quite elegant and befitting the period...

.. old chap.!

Luck with it.
Kilroy








Oh.
PS.
You might find that a voltmeter is a handy item to fit instead of the ammeter. They still give you a good idea of the state of things electrical - but they do not handle any significant current - so are a 'safe' gauge to fit. You get quite a graphical indication of the charging system at work.

[Mrs C]

Hi Kilroy
Thanks for the tips! A voltmeter seems like a much safer option. I think I will have to sit down and decide exactly what gauges I do and dont want and see whats available to me. I dont want to end up looking like a 17 year old fiesta driver with twenty-odd un-necessary auxillary gauges stuck all over my dash!
Speak again soon!
Emma

[Martec]

If I have read your comments correctly then your temperature gauge isn't working? The easy way to check it is to take the spade off the temperature sensor (in the front of the head above the plugs), and touch it to earth ie onto the head. the guage will quickly swing to hot showing the sensor is at fault. There are different sensors, the correct one will give the correct temperature.

[bigcarle]

hi
i would go with a voltmeter
ampmeter has the WHOLE wiring harness going through it and NO chance on being
able to install a fuse
voltmeter is in a circut on its own and CAN be fused, reads much the same as an ampmeter but not as sensitive
of course all this is what i have personally learnt at my peril and you shpuld get further advice to suit your needs
cheers

[MARINAMAN480]

Hi ya
if you want a mk3 instrument panel like the one pictured i may have one lying in my garage and im in gravesend in kent if thats any help

[Mrs C]

Hi everyone! Thanks for all the extra info!
Martec - Yes, it is my temperature gauge that isnt working. It actually reads backwards! The sensor appears to work ok, although I have already ordered a new one, as they arent expensive, and I wasnt sure of the parameters of the one fitted, or how long the fault has been there. Next thing I will probably do is have a play with the wiring. The temperature gauge I have isnt the original, and im hoping that maybe the wires just need swapping round. Fingers crossed! :?
Bigcarle - I am definitely thinking of getting a voltmeter instead. It certainly seems a much safer option. Although, im sure the ampmeter would have been fine if it had been earthed properly. I just dont want a repeat of last week! I cr@pped myself thinking my car had caught fire!
Marinaman480 - I already have the MK3 instrument panel fitted. But its good to know that there are some local Marina owners! :P
Thanks all
Emma