Needle issue?

[j2112]

My daughter just bought a cc which we know needs some tlc. No issues with that and we're prepared to learn, take our time, etc.
I thought there was a problem with the stat as the temperature gauge went straight to red on starting, but I knew the car had been sitting awhile before we bought it and didn't think it was the end of the world. A quick search though has suggested that the STOP signal would light up if this was the case, and this got me thinking (confused!).
I was in the car earlier cleaning (car switched off) and noticed that the temp needle was sitting at about 75% rather than at zero. This does seem strange and I am worried that the needle has actually been moved / removed at some point? Hoping that's not the case and that there was another explanation.
Just wondering if this was a known problem?
Thanks very much.
J

[j2112]

More reading .......
Would the temp sender be worth considering?

[Capncol]

Needle should zero with ign off. Points to gauge error really

[j2112]

Needle should zero with ign off. Points to gauge error really

Thanks for that. Any way round it other than replacing the whole lot?

[IanL]

Don't take this as gospel, but I read somewhere that the needle movement can get out of sync, and all it needs is a gentle nudge (say 15 deg of rotation) in the right direction and it will re-sync 30 deg away from the previous position.

Worth a try, and let us know if it does work.

[j2112]

Hmmm. Interesting. So I need to remove the clocks and have a tinker?
Can the needles actually be removed?

[gazza82]

Hmmm. Interesting. So I need to remove the clocks and have a tinker?
Can the needles actually be removed?

The old trick is to gently prise it off using a fork ... Cutlery type not garden. Gently ...

[j2112]

Hmmm. Interesting. So I need to remove the clocks and have a tinker?
Can the needles actually be removed?

The old trick is to gently prise it off using a fork ... Cutlery type not garden. Gently ...

Just wondering if it'd be worth considering?

[IanL]

Hmmm. Interesting. So I need to remove the clocks and have a tinker?
Can the needles actually be removed?

What I read suggested the needle did not need to be separated from the shaft - just rotated beyond the arc over which it synchronises, and it will synchronise again at a point round the clockface.

Think of it like a compass needle attracted to a magnet. Now put more magnets of the same power at (say) 60 deg round the circle, such that there are six magnets. Now displace the needle more than 30 deg , and it will point at the next magnet around the circle. This example produces six synchronisation points, but I don't know how many there are on the gauge.

[j2112]

A lot to think about - new territory for me!
I've added pics of the gauge .....
Pic 1 is on start up, pic 2 is with ignition off.

image.jpeg

image.jpeg

[j2112]

Oops! Sorry for the orientation!!

[Capncol]

Your fuel gauge doesn't look too clever either!

[leegsi]

Mine used to do the same.

I removed the clear plastic and as said higher up just moved it to the left. You will feel it have slight resistance then 'spring' to the next position.

If you have a code reader you can read the coolant temperature and make sure its the same as the gauge.

Once I did this to mine I never had a problem

[j2112]

Mine used to do the same.

I removed the clear plastic and as said higher up just moved it to the left. You will feel it have slight resistance then 'spring' to the next position.

If you have a code reader you can read the coolant temperature and make sure its the same as the gauge.

Once I did this to mine I never had a problem

Brilliant, thank you!
Need to work out how to remove the plastic but I'll get round to that

[j2112]

Your fuel gauge doesn't look too clever either!