Temp Needle Shacking

[jackyl]

Hello.
I need help from you guys.
My temperature needle is almost always shacking...
I´ve search the forum, and jordan once said to tight the bolt and i´ve done it, and no good.
I´ve cleaned the integrated circuit where are the batteries, and still no good (the first time i turned on the car, it was better), but now (2 times later), it´s the same... shacking.
I´ve disconnected the sensor near the thermostat and the needle dropped to 0, and after connecting, back to where it was and still shacking.
What may be the problem?
Problem with the Gauge?
May i put a 316i temp gauge there to replace mine(320i)?
would it work?
ground problems?

Help....

i´m thinking of buying an independent one (like VDO), to get a private reading of the temperature...

Thanks

[65Matt]

Mine hasnt been shacking up with anyone lately, but it does shake. :)

Yea, I wonder whats up with mine too - its crazy.

[RobertK]

Usually a loose ground on the back of your guage. Mine does it randomly until I thump it and then it's fine.

[jackyl]

Usually a loose ground on the back of your guage. Mine does it randomly until I thump it and then it's fine.

Loose Ground??
Where, how?
The bolt was thighen the possible.
I´ve checked, and there´s nothing loose.
If i thump the gauge, the needle shackes.

[jackyl]

I there.
Yesterday, ive dismounted my cluster, and opened it again...
All my gauges are VDO, except for the faulty one... (the temperature), is from motormeter (it´s the other brand thats makes the gauges for bmw... don´t remember the specific name, but i presume it´s something like motormeter).
Is it normal?
Shouldn´t all be VDO or all Motormeter?

Thanks

[chuckybob]

motormeter and vdo arent compatible, last i heard

[jackyl]

motormeter and vdo arent compatible, last i heard

Are u sure?
In Restoration Bible E30, they say they are, at least the SI board.

Thanks anyway

[lordofthewaters]

I don't think so. I believe what the manual meant by interchangeable was that you could take a VDO cluster assembly out and replace it with a Motometer assembly. I don't believe that you can swap out individual gauges.

Plus If I were you, I'd use a seperate mechanical gauge as well, mine's flakey, I imagine other have similar problem..........

[jackyl]

I don't think so. I believe what the manual meant by interchangeable was that you could take a VDO cluster assembly out and replace it with a Motometer assembly. I don't believe that you can swap out individual gauges.

Plus If I were you, I'd use a seperate mechanical gauge as well, mine's flakey, I imagine other have similar problem..........

I´ve changed the gauge (also a motormeter), and it´s the same.
If i disconnect the sensor the needle drops. If i give ground, the needle goes straight to the red.
The sensor is always transmitting info constantly and stable to the gauge.

help??

Thanks

[lordofthewaters]

You could have a crack or other problem with the circuit board. I'd check it, for cracks and probably all the solder points too. They may need to be re flowed. This is the beigeish "motherboard", not the si board.

[chuckybob]

check your coolant level too

[jackyl]

check your coolant level too

coolant level is ok :(

[jackyl]

Problem Fixed.
Changed the SI Board, and problem fixed.

The problem is another.
Overheat... hope to fix next.
Revision to radiator, and install an extra fan.