If your strainer isn't comming down to meet the case then the bolt is still bolt is still holding it up, ( edit: unless you have a couple of threads like above) We had a damaged one ( type 4 syndrome case) and the pick up tube had lugs welded onto it to let you tighten it up. Unfortunately too tight and ended up with a sheared strainer bolt too!.. found the broken bit of case still floating around in there so the lugs must have gone in when still in the case! As said before sometimes they can move a bit with the case done up, sometimes the case grips them, I've had one of each. Always best to get that holding bolt in place first in a rebuild or at least before tightening them up. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
The gauge was fitted in the cluster already, I haven't taken it out. I'll check the resistance at the gauge end - good point. Can you tell me what reading I should get across the voltage stabiliser terminals please - presumably different at each end of the scale?
It might be difficult to measure, depending on what kind of regulator you've got. Measure the voltage at the output terminal of the regulator (the one that connects to the sender cable). If you've got the vibrator type of regulator, it's going to be hopping up and down all the time, so difficult to measure, The other type has a zener diode inside, with - surprisingly - a festoon light bulb as a limiting "resistor". Can you take the back off the regulator, or is it fixed? The output of the regulator will be about 5.6V in my experience, but hard to measure.
Thanks Snotty. Ill have a bash at measuring the voltage - also going to check resistance at the gauge end of the wire as zedders suggested. Don't think the back comes off the stabiliser but I'll take a pic - pretty sure it's the original old type as it's the original one I think.
Measured the resistance at the gauge end of the sender wire and it's 81ohms, which is 2 more ohms than at the sender - close enough? Measured the voltage on input side of the stabiliser at 12.3v and same on the output side! Would that explain the gauge ready 3/8 instead of empty?
Maybe an additional 2 ohms is ok. Is the regulator wired correctly? Should be battery voltage on the input side, and around 5.something volts on the output. If you've got the vibrator type, the output jumps up and down, so quite hard to see on a digital meter unless you've got a bar graph thing at the bottom. You're measuring both voltages with respect to earth, yes?
Yes I had one clip on an earth and tried each side of the reg with the other. So If both sides read 12v it's buggered? Assuming they're not back to front - would that effect it? I can't remember if the terminals are marked.
Off the top of my head, unlikely to knacker the reg if connections back to front. I'll take a pic of my spare tomorrow with the right connections. If the reg is wired correctly, same voltage on each side would imply something's not right. Possible the bimetallic heater wire has gone, if it is the vibrator type.
Why do you ask me these things when my brain's stopped working ? The gauge would likely overread. If your regulator has gone pop, don't buy another one. I'll send you a Magic Fandango.
Thanks Snotty - they're not a cheap item. Got the dash lights, brake warning light and my front auxilliary fan variable speed switch all working today. Tomorrow's job is the last electrical gremlin to despatch and make the indicators work. Hazards work but nada for either indicator.
Replacements certainly aren’t cheap. Folk who’ve bought one for £35 from VWH will be delighted to learn they’re exactly the same as the $5 ones from China. And they’re not without their flaws...
First class knowledge. One day I'm going to collate all these cost cutting replacements that avoid scene tax and often improve on quality or even technology. (Maybe I'll call it The Late Bay - nah, it'll never catch on).
Just noticed this thread. Pic is damage to the cam centre bearing saddle that can occur if the strainer bolt is overtightened; everyone with a Type 4 knows this. Once it’s tight and leak free don’t touch it again, ever, drain the oil from the drain plug, there is no need to look at the strainer.