Wierd Coolant Gauge action after removing gauge needles

**trd_st184** · 20-05-2013, 08:41 AM

Hey all,
I was removing the centre face cluster from my Toyota Caldina to replace the auto gear indicator with one from a manual. I was sure I put the needle back in nearly the exact same position (took a photo of the position) and for some reason my car starts at 1/3 hot, and when at driving temperature it will get to full temp, but when the car ignition turns off it returns to the exact same position that I had set it to.

The cooling temp gauge is on a spring, so when you lift up the pin it returns to the exact same position so when I aligned the gauge needle I put it in the same spot (which was on the C exactly)

It would have been a HUGE coincidence if the car suddenly began to overheat since I didn't drop any coolant and it had been driving perfectly.

I was wondering if anyone might have any advice on where to go from here, i'm still using all the internals from the auto cluster.

**cresslux** · 20-05-2013, 09:28 AM

when the needle is on cold, it is stopped by the pin. if you remove the needle, the coil can turn back past cold. so that would explain it. try turning it half a turn and puting the needle back on.

**trd_st184** · 20-05-2013, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by cresslux

when the needle is on cold, it is stopped by the pin. if you remove the needle, the coil can turn back past cold. so that would explain it. try turning it half a turn and puting the needle back on.

Ah thats interesting, the car didn't actually have a stop needle on the heater gauge which made it even more unusual so I wasn't sure.

Thanks for your info.

I'm tempted to leave the plastic cover off from the gauges, and leave off the heater pin. Once I know the cars all warmed up i'll just slide the needle on and then put the plastic cover back on

**dumbass** · 20-05-2013, 06:55 PM

the needle is sprung loaded in most gauges
easiest way is pull needle off start car and get to running temp
now push needle back on to make it read closeto where it used to read when hot

**trd_st184** · 21-05-2013, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by dumbass

the needle is sprung loaded in most gauges
easiest way is pull needle off start car and get to running temp
now push needle back on to make it read closeto where it used to read when hot

Top stuff thanks again for your help. Will be sure to try it out tomorrow after work.