Temperature gauge going mad and car won't start, HELP

  1. Newbie Joined: Mar 2011 Gloucestershire Posts: 15
    #1
    The clock and radio etc has all been reset when I get to the car in the morning occasionally, well last night I went to the car very late and it wouldn't start, so I bumped it and it reset everything, which I don't understand at all, so if anyone has any ideas that would be great

    Secondly, since the car wouldn't start last night, the temperature gauge has stopped working. It stays at the bottom most of the time, but every ten minutes or so, the needle shoots up the the top and back again for a bit and the stops, I'm hoping its just a sensor or something, but if anyone knows what it could be and how to fix it I would be a happy chappy, cheers Jake
  2. Established Member Joined: Apr 2007 Alderley Edge,Cheshire Posts: 1048 1.6 VT?
    #2
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jake_111 View Post
    The clock and radio etc has all been reset when I get to the car in the morning occasionally, well last night I went to the car very late and it wouldn't start, so I bumped it and it reset everything, which I don't understand at all, so if anyone has any ideas that would be great

    Secondly, since the car wouldn't start last night, the temperature gauge has stopped working. It stays at the bottom most of the time, but every ten minutes or so, the needle shoots up the the top and back again for a bit and the stops, I'm hoping its just a sensor or something, but if anyone knows what it could be and how to fix it I would be a happy chappy, cheers Jake
    sounds like something shorted your battery!

    check the terminals are nice and tight

    if they are corroded pour boiling water over the terminals clean them up

    as for the over heating could be your thermostat....
    take it out and put it in boiling water and you should see it mouve as it heats up if it dosent replace it....

    its a gd place to start pal
  3. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182
    #3
    that doesnt sound like overheating to me, just electrical issue
  4. Frequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 Doyncaster Posts: 783
    #4
    When the battery struggles for amps, it seems to affect the temp gauge - I read that somewhere. Some race batteries also can have an impact.

    But tbf, sounds like your battery is shagged. At a guess.
  5. Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 165 Saxo VTR
    #5
    Agree with above, sounds like your battery is knackered although the temp gauge could be a broken earthwhich is what it normally is on the fuel gauge issues. The needle bouncing is a sign of it not getting a signal