Have we all seen this yet?

[blackpoolsparks]

so the engine has a problem and toyota fited a gauge that wont tell you there's a problem until its to late. is that about right

plus
they didnt know it would have an inherent head isuue

[chewee]

I would do them for anyone that would like to send me their gauge clusters.
£5 a pop plus postage?

ill have one if your still up for doin it!

[kitesurf_phil]

I have to have the dash apart to run new coax to the radio (and possibly change the radio, which is so freaking deaf it is a joke). While doing that I guess I can do the mod. There are heaps of resistors in the component drawers in my shed, I just hope I can remember the colour code.

BTW, in the article the guy says about using desoldering wick if the solder flows through the component hole and blocks it. I have melted the solder and being too lazy to get the desoldering pump, blown the hole clear from the component side of the board. These days I need my glasses and a magnifying glass for the fine stuff.

[MattF]

I just hope I can remember the colour code.

Been awhile since you last did anything electronics wise then?

[Apache]

just had a quick look at the aussie write-up.

It's not clear to me what the zener is doing, or what value it is.

If it is to provide a steady voltage reference for the gauge, then removing it will allow the gauge to fluctuate in response to voltage from the alternator, which can vary depending on load and revs.

Therefore, IF that is what the zener is for, the movement of the gauge could be due to varying voltage reference, rather than varying temperature.

I'm not saying this is definitely what is happening, just that there's not enough info to be sure, so in the absence of a circuit diagram I say - be careful.

If anyone has a diagram of the cluster, I'm happy to have a look and then outsource the modifications to Bushwhacker Industries Ltd.

[The Lovely Boyo]

This is the same mod as done to Landcruisers - maybe there is more info for Apache there????

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...ification.html

[POPEYE]

just fit a decent aftermarket gauge, sorted,

[yorta2]

I modified my temp gauge over 12 months ago and have no problems whatsoever with it. In fact, I now know exactly what temperature my engine is at all times (I don't have an aftermarket gauge), as it takes very little time to remember the needle position compared to the 'new' figures supplied by Ratty when his daughter developed the mod.

The zener diode (I believe) is used in most, if not all Toyota cars (and probably lots of others) to make the gauge steady in its 'safe' area, therefore not annoying the drivers, causing them to constantly complain to their dealers. My gauge now rises until the thermostat opens, then drops, and rises whenever I climb a hill or accelerate for a sustained period, but doesn't rise above 100 degrees C. if it does, I'd stop and cool the engine down. The gauge drops quickly after deceleration. Without the modification, the gauge just indicates perfect temperature right up until just before the engine cooks - when it will rise quickly and you will not have much time to do anything.


The mod is very easy to accomplish and the parts are easily bought. The soldering is pretty easy, but access to the gauge is the only hard part. Mind you, sometimes I think it was "nice" to have a steady needle, but am glad to have done the mod.

[POPEYE]

I modified my temp gauge over 12 months ago and have no problems whatsoever with it. In fact, I now know exactly what temperature my engine is at all times (I don't have an aftermarket gauge), as it takes very little time to remember the needle position compared to the 'new' figures supplied by Ratty when his daughter developed the mod.

The zener diode (I believe) is used in most, if not all Toyota cars (and probably lots of others) to make the gauge steady in its 'safe' area, therefore not annoying the drivers, causing them to constantly complain to their dealers. My gauge now rises until the thermostat opens, then drops, and rises whenever I climb a hill or accelerate for a sustained period, but doesn't rise above 100 degrees C. if it does, I'd stop and cool the engine down. The gauge drops quickly after deceleration. Without the modification, the gauge just indicates perfect temperature right up until just before the engine cooks - when it will rise quickly and you will not have much time to do anything.


The mod is very easy to accomplish and the parts are easily bought. The soldering is pretty easy, but access to the gauge is the only hard part. Mind you, sometimes I think it was "nice" to have a steady needle, but am glad to have done the mod.

it is a good mod, when i saw it on the Aus site it was just after i'd refitted my dash and didn't fancy pulling it apart again, i prob will do it nex time i strip the dash tho, meanwhile the aftermarket jobby does for me

[goodcat]

i read somewhere that toyota specifically re-set the temp gauge to read like this because when they released the surf, lots of people brought it back to toyota complaining of overheating. toyota said there was nothing wrong with any of the surfs and that they are actually designed/capable to run very hot. so they re-set the temp gauge in order to stop people bringing their surfs back for no reason.

personally i'd keep mine how it is. i know that if the needle moves up a bit then its gettting hot! and so slowing down, stopping or blowing the fans on full is in order!
if i kept seeing the gauge going up in the red i'd be freaking out every ###### day! lol

[BUSHWHACKER]

i read somewhere that toyota specifically re-set the temp gauge to read like this because when they released the surf, lots of people brought it back to toyota complaining of overheating. toyota said there was nothing wrong with any of the surfs and that they are actually designed/capable to run very hot. so they re-set the temp gauge in order to stop people bringing their surfs back for no reason.

personally i'd keep mine how it is. i know that if the needle moves up a bit then its gettting hot! and so slowing down, stopping or blowing the fans on full is in order!
if i kept seeing the gauge going up in the red i'd be freaking out every ###### day! lol

All Toyota temp gauges are the same, even the Lexus gauge isn't very acurate.
I've got an aftermarket gauge in mine and the normal running temp is 88 degrees, the electric fan is set to come on at 95 degrees.

[goodcat]

All Toyota temp gauges are the same, even the Lexus gauge isn't very acurate.
I've got an aftermarket gauge in mine and the normal running temp is 88 degrees, the electric fan is set to come on at 95 degrees.

installing an electric fan is a good idea.
wouldnt you want it to come on at a bit less than 95 if you had the choice?