Alternate water temp sender?

[urbandruid]

Hello all, me again with more questions!

I'm assuming my temperature sender has gone short-circuit as the needle swings straight to the upper end as soon as the ignition is turned on.

My question is, has anyone successfully used a cheap car part replacement, as I understand there's not much variation amongst them all?

Kind regards,
Steve

[KitNYC]

Never been tried, to the best of my knowledge, though I've seen some on eBay advertised for old Jags that look like they'd fit.

I left work one dismal, drizzly 53º F night, after parking the bike during the dismal, drizzly 53º day 9 hours before, put my key in the switch, and saw the temp gauge rise to max as you describe. I've been wondering about this ever since, but I replaced mine with OEM.

Cheers,
-Kit

[urbandruid]

Thanks Kit, I suppose OEM's the right course.
Must learn to be more patient.

[KitNYC]

I'm still hoping someone will try one of those $10 Jaguar senders and tell us if they work!

Cheers,
-Kit

[grez]

i assume you guys are talking about the switch that would turn on the electric cooling fan on my speed triple(doesn't have a temp gauge)the previous owner said the bike would go through those like nobodys business and when he got tired of replacing it he just wired a switch to the fan that he would turn on at lower speeds to keep from overheating,i would like to make it work proper but if it is gonna keep up that behavior i will just keep the switch,or is there say a newer revised model from a later bike that would last longer?

[urbandruid]

No grez, I'm on about the sender that drives the temperature gauge.

Kit, I've just ordered one, but they're £12 over here!
Mind you, I just pulled the connector off and the needle stayed over to the right with ignition on, so it might be something else.

I'll keep you posted.

Steve

[KitNYC]

Originally Posted by grez

<...>
previous owner said the bike would go through those like nobodys business and when he got tired of replacing it he just wired a switch to the fan that he would turn on at lower speeds to keep from overheating
<...>

He didn't understand how the cooling system works. The temperature sender drives the gauge (maybe its a warning light on your bike?); the thermostat and fan switch control the actual fan. (Drop me a PM if you need a fan switch.)

Originally Posted by urbandruid

<...>
Mind you, I just pulled the connector off and the needle stayed over to the right with ignition on, so it might be something else.

I'll keep you posted.

Steve

Please do! IIRC, mine did the same thing, needle-wise. I know it faffed about a bit, working, not working, going low, going high, but mostly it stayed all the way to the right.

Cheers,
-Kit

[grez]

ok kit thanks,i understand better,i do have a temp warning light that does work,so the other is just for the fan,just so know or can go looking for it,where is the temp switch located?in the rad?or in the engine block? I'm sorry if this is a hijack,im just trying to learn as much about this machine as i can

[darthandy]

Hey Grez!

I just checked my Haynes manual and it says that the fan switch is located on the upper left side(as viewed while sitting on the bike) of the radiator. The temperature sending unit is attached to the left side of the head. Replacing or testing either of them requires draining the coolant first.

I think you'll find that life with your bike will be much easier with the Haynes. I got mine through Amazon.ca, but not at the listed price of $47.95. Instead I clicked on the new and used books link and got one from The Book Depository for $39.87 including S & H...and it was new. It has advantages over the factory manual since it mostly uses pictures rather than line drawings..this makes it easier to figure out what you're looking at.

[KitNYC]

Originally Posted by darthandy

<...>
The temperature sending unit is attached to the left side of the head. Replacing or testing either of them requires draining the coolant first.
<...>

Huh? IIRC, there are clearance issues that make it slightly fiddly to get to, but the temp sender is on the top of the motor and coolant need not be spilt to replace it. (*Proper* procedure may require it, but actual replacement does not.)

Cheers,
-Kit