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Other Problems / Mk2 Golf 1.3 - High Temp on Gauge but no warning light or fan
I'm new here but have been rescuing a little 1988 1.3 Golf over the winter. I'm on the home straight but am stumped with a temp issue.
ISSUE: My temp gauge rises quickly then sits very close to the limit, there is no warming light illuminated and the coolant temp doesn't seem too high.
BACKSTORY: My temp gauge didn't work when I got the car and I wanted to change my clocks for a set from a 8v GTI as I wanted a rev counter. I did this but the gauge still didn't work so that wasn't the issue. I changed the 2 temp sensors...the gauge worked! However, as I've explained I've now got this issue with it looking like its over heating. I've flushed to coolant and it looks to be flowing well. The fan didn't come on a a short test drive today...it has done in the past. How long should it come on after the car has been sat idling?
Is there anything obvious I need to be looking at? Are the temp gauges in the 8V clocks different to the 1.3 gauges? Is the new temp sensor I've got giving a false reading? Can gauges give a false reading? Should the temp warning light be on if the gauge is that high or does it work independently to the needle?
I've bought another sensor to try and see if another gives a different reading.
Sorry if this is a bit of an essay but would appreciate some help!
Thanks, Dave