VDO Temp. Gauge Sticking

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   I have a 1993 Nautique Excell / Barefoot Nautique with the white faced VDO Gauges (original equipment).  I have had a problem for the past several years with the Temperature Gauge going to about 210 degrees or higher, and sticking there.  I can thump the side of the dash and it will usually go back down to where it is supposed to be.  (The engine is not overheating)  I would really like to find an original replacement for it but I've looked on the internet and haven't seen any.  As a matter of fact, a couple of years ago (before they changed), I ordered one from Southeast Correct Craft and they sent me the wrong one, so I returned it.  Any one have any ideas?  (By the way, I've checked it by taking the wire at the sending unit off and touching it to ground, and it "pegs" the needle like it should, but it doesn't stick when I do that.)  

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Tomfooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June-28-2005 Location: Virginia, USA Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tomfooter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: VDO Temp. Gauge Sticking Posted: July-23-2009 at 5:34pm
	I have a 1993 Nautique Excell / Barefoot Nautique with the white faced VDO Gauges (original equipment). I have had a problem for the past several years with the Temperature Gauge going to about 210 degrees or higher, and sticking there. I can thump the side of the dash and it will usually go back down to where it is supposed to be. (The engine is not overheating) I would really like to find an original replacement for it but I've looked on the internet and haven't seen any. As a matter of fact, a couple of years ago (before they changed), I ordered one from Southeast Correct Craft and they sent me the wrong one, so I returned it. Any one have any ideas? (By the way, I've checked it by taking the wire at the sending unit off and touching it to ground, and it "pegs" the needle like it should, but it doesn't stick when I do that.)
	"You could buy a cheaper boat, but you would have to ride it"

Randy_in_Ohio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: September-13-2006 Location: N. Canton, OH. Status: Offline Points: 1891	Post Options Post Reply Quote Randy_in_Ohio Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July-23-2009 at 5:46pm
	I had the same problem with my temp gauge when I got my boat. I ended up replacing it with one from Summit racing. I had to replace the sending unit as well since the original sending unit wouldn't work with the new gauge. The back light in the new gauge was a different color so I used the light or I think it may have been a red cap over the light... I forget. Anyway it looks great, you can't really tell it's not original. I'll try to find a link to the gauge and post it for you.
	1993 Sport Nautique

Randy_in_Ohio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: September-13-2006 Location: N. Canton, OH. Status: Offline Points: 1891	Post Options Post Reply Quote Randy_in_Ohio Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July-23-2009 at 6:26pm
	I think this is the one I used. I believe I still have the box at home, I will try to confirm tonight. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VDO-310239/
	1993 Sport Nautique

Gary S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July-23-2009 at 9:40pm
	800-265-1818 is VDO's tech support line.Very helpful and knowlegable guys.
	69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport

Randy_in_Ohio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: September-13-2006 Location: N. Canton, OH. Status: Offline Points: 1891	Post Options Post Reply Quote Randy_in_Ohio Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July-24-2009 at 2:13pm
	I checked the box and the link above is the one I used. VDO part # 310239D. You must get the sending unit that goes with this gauge, not sure what the part number is but the guys at summit should be able to help you out with that.
	1993 Sport Nautique

Tomfooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June-28-2005 Location: Virginia, USA Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tomfooter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July-29-2009 at 3:58pm
	Thanks Guys for all the info! Randy, do you recall about how much the gauge and sending unit were? Did you have to change any wiring, or did it hook right up to what you already had?
	"You could buy a cheaper boat, but you would have to ride it"

Tomfooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June-28-2005 Location: Virginia, USA Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tomfooter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July-29-2009 at 4:12pm
	OOPS! I just answered (part of) my own question aboout the price, when I actually looked at the link you provided! Sorry for jumping the gun! (But I would still like to know about the wiring....Also how about being "weather-proof"?) Thanks!
	"You could buy a cheaper boat, but you would have to ride it"

Tomfooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June-28-2005 Location: Virginia, USA Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tomfooter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-05-2009 at 11:50am
	Randy, My new Gauge and Sending Unit should arrive today (8/5/09) from Summit Racing. Do you remember having to change any wiring, or did it hook straight up to what you already had? By the way, thanks for the link!
	"You could buy a cheaper boat, but you would have to ride it"

Randy_in_Ohio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: September-13-2006 Location: N. Canton, OH. Status: Offline Points: 1891	Post Options Post Reply Quote Randy_in_Ohio Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-05-2009 at 7:44pm
	Tom, You shouldn't have to change any wiring. I did have to take a red rubber cap off of the old gauge light bulb and put it on the new gauge so the backlight would be red when the lights are on at night. or I took the whole light from the old gauge and fit it in the new one... I can't remember, but I had to change something out to make it look right at night.
	1993 Sport Nautique

Tomfooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June-28-2005 Location: Virginia, USA Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tomfooter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-06-2009 at 4:00pm
	Wow! That sounds GREAT! I received my Gauge and Sending Unit yesterday evening, but it was pouring the rain, so all I could do was sit and read the instructions. The wiring (hopefully) shouldn't be too bad, then. The red rubber cap I can handle. I thought an old one I had kept off of my old '81 BFN would fit it, but it was too small. I'll just have to wait until I get the old Gauge off and get that one. Thanks again for your help!
	"You could buy a cheaper boat, but you would have to ride it"

Tomfooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June-28-2005 Location: Virginia, USA Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tomfooter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-07-2009 at 7:34pm
	Randy, I got everything installed last night, including a new 160 degree thermostat and gasket. Everything went pretty smooth (wires hooked up just like you said), and I got to test drive it before dark. She is still running around 180, but at least now I know what temperature she's running at. Thanks again! Tom P.S. Went to Advance Auto today to buy a replacement red light - the old red cover wouldn't work on the larger (new) light. Will put that in this weekend so all dash lights will match.
	"You could buy a cheaper boat, but you would have to ride it"

Randy_in_Ohio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: September-13-2006 Location: N. Canton, OH. Status: Offline Points: 1891	Post Options Post Reply Quote Randy_in_Ohio Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-07-2009 at 10:11pm
	Glad to hear you got it working Tom. I just pulled the box with the old gauge off the shelf and it looks like I have the light with the fat bulb in the box with the old gauge. I'm pretty sure I took the old light socket and bulb out of the old gauge and installed it in the new gauge to make the lights match. Pretty sure I used some plastic epoxy to fit it in there (I love that stuff!). I just hope I never have to replace the bulb! I think the needle on the new gauge is red instead of white, but no one looking at it would ever notice.
	1993 Sport Nautique

Tomfooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June-28-2005 Location: Virginia, USA Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tomfooter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-10-2009 at 1:12pm
	Didn't get the new red bulb installed this weekend (you never want to work on a boat when you're having fun with it!), but everything is working good. Only problem I see, is that it seems like this new gauge fogs up more/quicker than the other original guages in my boat. It eventually clears up. I hope that doesn't turn into a problem later on (I didn't ever really see that it was for "marine use"). By the way, my Needle and markings are all black, just like the original, just different heat graduations.
	"You could buy a cheaper boat, but you would have to ride it"

Tomfooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June-28-2005 Location: Virginia, USA Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tomfooter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-18-2009 at 6:17pm
	My bad. Needle (just like all the other VDO Gauges in my boat) is red. I'm not paying close enough attention, or everything gets foggy once I get to work! Gauge is Still working GREAT!
	"You could buy a cheaper boat, but you would have to ride it"

VDO Temp. Gauge Sticking

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