Temperature gauge

[Dutchie van Ulft]

Hello,

I seem to have some trouble with the temperature gauge of my Defender 1998Tdi.
When driving normally, the needle always has been standing exactly in the middle. Lately when the engine has to perform (just a little, for example a little incline in the road)) the temperature gauge shoots up (sometimes even beyond the red) and after giving it a knock with my hand it goes immedeatly down to (just over) the middle. From then onwards it seems to go 'funny' and it goes from middle to red and 'just before the red' etc. (after giving it some 'knocking' with my fingers.
Because of immediate response of the needle to my 'knocking' I can only assume it is the temp.gauge instead of the sensor or the ACTUAL overheating of the engine. (Even when the gauge is in red, the coolant fluid/water is DEFINITELY not warmer then usual)
I was wandering if any of you guys ever had problems with the temp.gauge of a Defender TDi and if I will be able to fix it (as i'm in the outback) or do I need a new temp.gauge??

Thanks for your tips.

Roel
www.popadd.com/overlandy2006

[BigJon]

Whip the instrument pack out and check the guage earths.

[JDNSW]

Probably faulty earth on the gauge. If it is like my 110 it has a lead under one of the mounting nuts, and if this is loose you will get this sort of problem. A confirmation is if the reading changes when you switch the instrument lights on and off.

John