Temp Gauge problem

[RLS]

I have a 2002 Journey DL on a XC chassis with a 3126E cat. On the return portion of my last trip the temp gauge did not register. This had happened once before. My question is do I start looking at the dash grounds or start at the engine temp sender? Anyone had this problem?

[EngineerMike]

8 year old ground connections, 8 year old sender, 8 year old connections under the dash. Could be any of these, and maybe there's a gauge annunciator in between that has an issue. Dash grounds & rear of coach grounds are probably due for a checkup anyway. Then the sending unit's connection, then change the sender. And then post your results.

[Fred Cooper]

All the instruments are connected via harness to a bus that sends data. You can unplug all the instruments, scramble the connectors, and then just randomly plug them back in and they will work as the data is coded to the instrument. The sending unit feeds the computer and the computer sends the signal down the bus to the instruments.

My guess is a bad connection somewhere. I'd first unplug and reseat the connector to the temp guage and see if that solves the problem.

You can also call the help desk at Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. 800-FTL-HELP (800-385-4357). Explain your problem and I think they will help. When I attended the camp freightliner class in Gaffney several years ago, they repeatedly emphasized that owners should not hesitate to call the help desk with a problem. Have your Freightliner vehicle id number available when you call.

Please post the resolution when you get it working. Good luck.....fred

[phays]

I had similar problem with my '98 Vectra. Freightliner in Orlando looked at it for 4 hours and said I had a bad gage and the whole instrument cluster needed to be replaced. I took it to Gafney and they found a wire off of the sender. There are two wires on mine. One for the idiot light and the other for the gage. My idiot light did work as I found out when I overheated once climbing a hill. Gafney tech just reattached the wire - problem fixed.

[RLS]

Update on temp gauge. Today got back from a 5 day trip. The temp gauge worked the whole trip. Will wait for it to malfunction before I can attempt a cure. Will be heading out later this week for another trip. Will keep you posted.