850 Erratic Temp. Gauge

JOHN 850 · Oct 7th, 2002, 16:17

Thinking of getting an 850 2.5 20v, manual M reg 95 model (with new rear end). Problem is the temp gauge is a bit erratic - its at 3 o'clock for a lot of the time, but drops i.e.colder when driven hard & moves up to 2o'clock when stood ? ? There is the normal amount of coolant in it along with oil. Any ideas ??

Also, aircon needs re-gasing - would this have any bearing ??

Cheer,

John.

Oct 7th, 2002, 21:04

My 2.0 20v has been doing this for ages, I have just got a thermostat and temperature sensor to fit at the weekend.

It seems that the thermostat is stuck open, or at least not operating. The guage almost reads zero on a long motorway cruise, besides from that it's ok and doesn't overheat as the fan comes on as normal.

I am not sure about the a/c though.

Si

92 850 GLT 2.0 20v 122k

JOHN 850 · Oct 7th, 2002, 23:52

Cheers Si ! My mechanic thought it could be the temp. sensor which is about 17 quid - don't know about the stat, but they can't be that much ? I was just worried it might be the air - con, as we all know how much that costs if it goes in a big way, however most people I've spoken to reckon this wouldn't effect the temp. gauge though !!

How much did you pay for your bits & are they easy to fit ?

Cheers,

J.

rstrang · Oct 8th, 2002, 14:24

Hi John,

It's almost certainly going to be the thermostat...

Volvo price about £20 :-(

Richard

Oct 8th, 2002, 16:23

Don't want to put you off, but I once owned a BMW 325i in which the temperature gauge behaved fine if you drove normally, but if you decided to floor it, the needle would start to creep towards the red and wouldn't stop until you switched off the engine for a while then drove normally again. Problem was the head gasket. I haven't heard of the 850 gaskets failing and I know they are a liquid gasket but just bear it in mind as a possibility or try and get money knocked off if you haven't bought it yet.

Dave

Oct 13th, 2002, 20:02

I did this today, I paid about £6 for the thermostat from gsfcarparts.com (german,swedish,french car parts) the parts came in about two days.

The sensor I bought from the dealer for about £26.00, you may get one cheaper somewhere but I could't find one.

It is quite an easy job, you will need a proper Torx 40 socket for the thermostat housing and use a smear of Nutlock on the thread of the new sensor, oh, and put the new thermostat in the right way !! (note old one before removing, it just lifts out)

I have been out today and the gauge is back to normal. I also changed the bottom radiator hose because it has been leaking a bit.

I will now have to reset the error codes, one logged because of a delay in receiving a signal from the old sensor.

Good Luck !! post if you have problems :)
Si

JOHN 850 · Oct 14th, 2002, 14:14

Thanks for the replies guys ! However, decided not to go ahead & have bought a S70. Will see how this behaves, but so far, so good ! Just have to sell the 850 now !!

Cheers,

J.

Oct 7th, 2002, 16:17	#1
JOHN 850 Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:43 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: North Yorkshire	850 Erratic Temp. Gauge Thinking of getting an 850 2.5 20v, manual M reg 95 model (with new rear end). Problem is the temp gauge is a bit erratic - its at 3 o'clock for a lot of the time, but drops i.e.colder when driven hard & moves up to 2o'clock when stood ? ? There is the normal amount of coolant in it along with oil. Any ideas ?? Also, aircon needs re-gasing - would this have any bearing ?? Cheer, John. __________________ Current : 2020 XC60 R Design, 1998 C70 T5 Coupe, 1988 360GLT, 1999 C70 TDI Previous : V90 RD, 360GLEi, V70TDI, V70 2.5D, 965, C70 T5 x3, 340 x2, 360GLT x4, P1800ES x3, 240 x3, 940 x2, S70 x3, 850 x3, S80, 480 x2, 120 x2, XC90 x2, V70 D5 x3

Oct 7th, 2002, 21:04	#2
Simon McL Guest Location:	RE: 850 Erratic Temp. Gauge My 2.0 20v has been doing this for ages, I have just got a thermostat and temperature sensor to fit at the weekend. It seems that the thermostat is stuck open, or at least not operating. The guage almost reads zero on a long motorway cruise, besides from that it's ok and doesn't overheat as the fan comes on as normal. I am not sure about the a/c though. Si 92 850 GLT 2.0 20v 122k

Oct 7th, 2002, 23:52	#3
JOHN 850 Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:43 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: North Yorkshire	RE: 850 Erratic Temp. Gauge Cheers Si ! My mechanic thought it could be the temp. sensor which is about 17 quid - don't know about the stat, but they can't be that much ? I was just worried it might be the air - con, as we all know how much that costs if it goes in a big way, however most people I've spoken to reckon this wouldn't effect the temp. gauge though !! How much did you pay for your bits & are they easy to fit ? Cheers, J. __________________ Current : 2020 XC60 R Design, 1998 C70 T5 Coupe, 1988 360GLT, 1999 C70 TDI Previous : V90 RD, 360GLEi, V70TDI, V70 2.5D, 965, C70 T5 x3, 340 x2, 360GLT x4, P1800ES x3, 240 x3, 940 x2, S70 x3, 850 x3, S80, 480 x2, 120 x2, XC90 x2, V70 D5 x3

Oct 8th, 2002, 14:24	#4
rstrang Junior Member Last Online: Aug 17th, 2007 14:53 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Reading	RE: 850 Erratic Temp. Gauge Hi John, It's almost certainly going to be the thermostat... Volvo price about £20 :-( Richard

Oct 8th, 2002, 16:23	#5
Dave_G Guest Location:	RE: 850 Erratic Temp. Gauge Don't want to put you off, but I once owned a BMW 325i in which the temperature gauge behaved fine if you drove normally, but if you decided to floor it, the needle would start to creep towards the red and wouldn't stop until you switched off the engine for a while then drove normally again. Problem was the head gasket. I haven't heard of the 850 gaskets failing and I know they are a liquid gasket but just bear it in mind as a possibility or try and get money knocked off if you haven't bought it yet. Dave

Oct 13th, 2002, 20:02	#6
Simon McL Guest Location:	RE: 850 Erratic Temp. Gauge I did this today, I paid about £6 for the thermostat from gsfcarparts.com (german,swedish,french car parts) the parts came in about two days. The sensor I bought from the dealer for about £26.00, you may get one cheaper somewhere but I could't find one. It is quite an easy job, you will need a proper Torx 40 socket for the thermostat housing and use a smear of Nutlock on the thread of the new sensor, oh, and put the new thermostat in the right way !! (note old one before removing, it just lifts out) I have been out today and the gauge is back to normal. I also changed the bottom radiator hose because it has been leaking a bit. I will now have to reset the error codes, one logged because of a delay in receiving a signal from the old sensor. Good Luck !! post if you have problems :) Si

Oct 14th, 2002, 14:14	#7
JOHN 850 Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:43 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: North Yorkshire	RE: 850 Erratic Temp. Gauge Thanks for the replies guys ! However, decided not to go ahead & have bought a S70. Will see how this behaves, but so far, so good ! Just have to sell the 850 now !! Cheers, J. __________________ Current : 2020 XC60 R Design, 1998 C70 T5 Coupe, 1988 360GLT, 1999 C70 TDI Previous : V90 RD, 360GLEi, V70TDI, V70 2.5D, 965, C70 T5 x3, 340 x2, 360GLT x4, P1800ES x3, 240 x3, 940 x2, S70 x3, 850 x3, S80, 480 x2, 120 x2, XC90 x2, V70 D5 x3

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