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TR2/3/3A Trouble shooting TR3a Temperature gauge

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tdskip

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The TR3a sorting out process continues.... thanks for all of the on going help guys.

So the next item up is the non-functioning temperature gauge. The sender is present and the sender line is attached to the gauge but the gauge needle never budges off the left most cold reading even when the engine has been warmed up.

Is there a best practice set of tests to trace down the fault?
 
Re: Trouble shooting TR3a Tempature gauge

try grounding it see if it moves?
Didn't someone post a way to get into them and reset em?
 
Re: Trouble shooting TR3a Tempature gauge

errr - isn't the TR3A temp gauge a "direct line" capillary from the engine waterjacket?

At least for TeeYah (1959 TR3A), there's no grounding involved with the temp gauge.

Regarding resetting - I posted a few months ago the method I used for resetting my fuel gauge.

T.
 
Re: Trouble shooting TR3a Tempature gauge

If it is an original gauge it is an either bulb and not electric. If that is the case the repair is not simple as the system is closed to contain the either.

On the other hand if it is a late TR3A or early TR4 gauge that looks the same as an original (but has different numbers) then it is a bit simpler.

So the question is, is your gauge electric (two wires on the back) or mechanical (just the either capillary tube going into the back?
 
Re: Trouble shooting TR3a Tempature gauge

"It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim !"
 
Re: Trouble shooting TR3a Tempature gauge

Adrio said:
So the question is, is your gauge electric (two wires on the back) or mechanical (just the either capillary tube going into the back?
Click to expand...

Hi guys - the gauge is in fact mechanical with a single capillary tube going into the back...
 
Re: Trouble shooting TR3a Tempature gauge

tdskip said:
Adrio said:
So the question is, is your gauge electric (two wires on the back) or mechanical (just the either capillary tube going into the back?
Click to expand...

Hi guys - the gauge is in fact mechanical with a single capillary tube going into the back...
Click to expand...

Then it's off to the rebuilder with it, or you try the instructions in the "how to do your own mechanical temp gauge," above.
 
Might not gauge the sender or tube connecting the sender to the gauge be bad? Or, are those considered bullet proof enough that they are rarely the cause of a failure.
 
While durable, and never requiring adjustment (they can't be "adjusted") it's not bullet proof. The closed system contains a volatile liquid. If it finally springs a leak (it's at least 45 years old) that liquid is gone and the gauge/tube/sender needs to be refilled and resealed.
 
Re: Trouble shooting TR3a Tempature gauge

NutmegCT said:
BTW - here's a link that might be helpful:

https://www.ply33.com/Repair/tempgauge

Repairing a "capillary tube" temp gauge.

T.
Click to expand...

I used this method to repair my broken TR3 temp gauge. You need a good donor gauge that you can harvest the bulb and tube filled with ether to splice onto your gauge. Capillary temp gages can be had in most auto parts store for around $16-$20. Or you can send it up to Nisonger. I believe they get about $140-$150 to do the repair.
 
Re: Trouble shooting TR3a Tempature gauge

Thanks guys - I appreciate the info and coaching.

Russ - did they return the same gauge you sent them or swap it out for another one. Was the tubing and sensor included in the price?
 
Re: Trouble shooting TR3a Tempature gauge

That a good question, I assumed that it was the one I sent in but I'm not sure. And yes what was in the picture is what I got, the one I sent in had the tubeing cut off at the gauge. It was rusty the bezel was pitted all togather it was a pretty nasty gauge. I also sent it the one that went bad and got the same results, turn around time was less than a week "WOW".

Good Luck
 
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