SPA guage problem

[Swayse]

On my way home form work today my egt guage started showing way to low. Cruising at 80 it normally shows about 600 or a little more, now it was showing around 400. When I finally coast into the garage it normally shows about 350, now 167 or something like that. What's wrong? The conections all look good.



Thanks for any help.

 

[RobG]

That happened to me once, but in my case, the yellow plug that connected from the black box to the probe had just about come loose. Once I reseated it, it was fine.



Try unplugging it and check the contacts to see if they're clean. If they are and you still have the problem, is there anybody locally with an SPA EGT guage that you can plug your guage face into to see if it's your guage? If it isn't, then maybe it's your probe or black box.



I've also heard stories about the black box getting moisture inside if it and causing problems, fwiw...



Rob

 

[HC]

What's your boost gauge doing? Mine used to have bad connections on the boost, which caused a flashing red light and "FL" code. In theory, that should not have impacted the pyro reading at all, two separate circuits, but in fact when the boost went haywire, the pyro also started giving erroneous readings. My problems could be temporarily solved by wiggling the boost connector plug, but only got worse until I soldered the wires directly to the boost sensor. Now everything works great. If this doesn't help, call SPA (their US distributor) - I found them extremely helpful in diagnosing and solving my problems; I'm sure they would help you, too.

 

[Swayse]

I'll try cleaning the contacts and putting that electric grease on it. Thanks.

 

[Strick-9]

My SPA EGT gauge went out too. It reads 32° all the time. Boost gauge works fine. I've checked the connection several times and even took it apart to verify.



Pyro seems to read properly when not screwed into the manifold. It reads ambient temperature and rises to 80° when I pinch my fingers on the end of the probe.



Looks to me like a faulty probe or the probe is no longer ungrounded.



-Chris

 

[Alan Reagan]

My only probe failure started with it (the pyro) reading too low. Then it dropped to 32 and never came back. It was the connection inside the yellow plug on the top of the probe. Somehow, it had vibrated to the point of breaking the internal probe wires where the screw into the connector. I almost never found it because even after they broke, they were so close that I couldn't see the break. Had to get them to send me a new one under warranty.

 

[Smoker]

I've been thinking about getting the SPA pyro but now I am not sure. Would you all suggest that I get one? Seems to me they are starting to be a little troublesome.

 

[Steve G]

I've had my SPAs now for about 1 1/2 years and the only problem I had was a boost sensor went south. SPA replaced it with no problems.



Steve

 

[Swayse]

I clean the conections now it works again. I do not like these gauges, I've still got a fuel pressure sender that jumps all over the place. I set the AT to 2. 5 so it's a little better now. I tried to get it replaced under warrenty, DIS never heard of one going bad. Called SPA, they never heard of one going bad either, but I could send in the senser and they could test it. Figured I'd just buy a new one, DIS don't even sell just the senser. So I said screw it, and left it alone. I know it's bad, I had it mounted right on injection pump, when it started jumping around, now I moved it to a remote location. It's to late, I'm stuck with them.

 

[BRobertson]

You guys really need to look at the Dakota Digital gauges!!!

 

[JR2]

I have two SPA gauges in my truck and I put one in my Dad's truck at the same time. My dad had hell with his boost gauge for over a year. The connection to the sensor was the weak point. After Nowel (HVAC) sent me the updated plug and sensor the problem was solved.



I am having a problem with my boost gauge now, it reads real erraticly. It will read -2 psi and then 2 seconds later it will be 125 psi. I have a new sensor coming from Brandon and I think that will fix the problem. I really don't think that sensor enjoys being on the side of a rattlin engine when it is -20 out.



I have not had any problems with the temp portions of any of the guages. My EGT and air (going to transmission soon) temp sensors have worked fine and my Dad's does too.



I have seen BRobertsons Dakota gauges, they are nice. I still prefer the SPA, I just wish they offered a trade in for the new Mark 2's

 

[Ted Constantine]

I'll second the trade-in idea JR2. I have had two problems with my DG-111. First the pyro went. Started reading lower and lower and then was constant on 300. I got a replacement in days from DIS. The plug on the thermocouple kept coming apart when I shut down the engine. The vibrations would disconnect it. I put one rap of electrical tape around the connection and it has worked consistantly.



The boost sensor went recently and was reading +/- 125 lbs. SPA told me that they have found the connection could not handle the vibrations of a diesel and shake themselves apart inside. They sent me a new sensor with a long tail to splice into the harness (tomorrows project). The new sensors have a different plug design.



sound like the mark two is pretty sweet



ted

 

[Swayse]

Looks like I should try talking to the guys at SPA again, who should I talk to?

 

[Ted Constantine]

I started with the tech types at DIS and they, after talking to SPA put me in touch with Ron at SPA. He was very helpful.



Ted