1990 Other BMW Models Temperature Gauge

Hi srt8man. Welcome to the forum. There can be a wide variation in gauges, sending units, and thermostats. I have two identical Grand Caravans with the same size engine. One reads lower than quarter scale but goes up to almost half scale when pulling an enclosed trailer that's bigger than the van. The other one reads about 2/3 scale all the time. The heaters on both will roast your hand if you hold it there long enough.

What's important is the actual coolant temperature. If you start with a cool engine, you can leave the radiator cap off and pop in a small thermometer and watch it as the engine warms up. If it never gets close to around 190 degrees, and / or you already see coolant circulating, the thermostat should be changed. An engine that's running too cool will not get its normal fuel mileage. If you do find the coolant is up to at least close to 190 degrees, you can try a different sending unit for the gauge but they normally give very little trouble.

Caradiodoc

Was it reading normally before the bypass hose got changed?

Hi guys. It would be appropriate to delete my first reply and let you guys figure this out between you. Dr. H, do you have the technology to delete this and my first reply? Go ahead if you can, otherwise I'll do it in a day or two.

Carry on. :)

caradiodoc

It never really read right is the phrase I have keyed onto here. The instrument cluster in the E-32 cars was an analog gauge and it lacked ability to calibrate to a range, it simply displayed a temperature. The newer cars BMW produces are digital function to allow the gauge to read at one point ( 12 o'clock) regardless of the actual temperature of the coolant, what this means is that the older cars may be within the "normal" range of temperature and the gauge reads where it reads, newer cars hold the gauge at one point to allow customers to "see" normal temperatures, even if there is an excursion. Analog gauges have suffered from sender failure, added resistance in the connection/wiring, poor grounds and/or power that change the gauge reading. I recommend changing the thermostat and see if the gauge reads the same. Then we might need to go after some other aspect of the coolant temperature indicator.