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[nixobilly]

Ok - get this...

I had worthless Air temp guage replaced with oil temp gauge in fairing (my 1st mistake).  I returned a couple of weeks later 'cause oil temp gauge not registering any temp.

Per HD install directions - dealer installed guage in "top" oil line that runs into oil cooler.

Dealer thinks this oil line is incorrect (summizes that this is the line "out" of cooler) so gauge should be installed in "lower" line that runs into oil cooler.  (BTW the dealer and I still have not recieved the FLHTCUSE2 addedums to the maint/parts/elect manuals... but I guess that is besides the point --- all are backordered until end of Oct.....)

I jump in and request that the dealer service folks call HD Tech support to find out for sure as opposed to slicing up another line for a guess (my 2nd mistake).

HD Tech Support ( ) says that they had it right to begin with but the gauge won't ever work correctly cause of the Oil thermostat which is installed on these bikes at the oil filter.  (huh?)  HD says that because of the cooling/warming of the oil thru the cooler and closing of the thermostat that the temp gauge will fluctuate wildly. (Seemed not to do chit in my dash).

Hmmm... I got this bike in Sept here in South Texas and have ridden it around in Houston traffic (and sitting still) and the guage should have at least been 220 with the thermostat open.

I asked dealer then to move the sensing part of the gauge from the oil lines to the sump hole in the pan (like I read in this forum) but the HD Tech guy said NOT to do that when pressed by the dealer service tech.  The HD Tech guy refused to say why but the dealer tech summized that it might be that they were concerned that if something happened to the sensor (break off due to road debris or just comming apart like the dipstick oil temp guage, haha....) that a dramatic oil loss would occur.

So, should I ignore their concerns and just move the sensor myself or live with another POS gauge ---I'd like to not make 3rd mistake.


Thanks,

Mark

[Boatman]

All I can give is my 2cents worth.  Mine is an 05 and the sender was supposed to be put in the return line from the crankcase to reservoir.  Yours does not have these lines any more.  I put mine in the oil pan reservoir next to the drain plug.  Below 185 degrees, my gauge reads about 25 degrees lower than my LED oil dipstick.  Once the thermostat opens and oil flows thru the cooler, my gauge reads within 5-10 degrees of my LED gauge.  Other members have had their cooler lines to break causing oil loss.  Hopefully I don't have my sender damaged due to road trash.  Hope this helps.

[hd-dude]

Put the sensor in the pan and be done with it. Several members here have done it and none have reported problems with road debris. I have personally installed 6 or so this way without issue as well. As boatman stated they read lower until the motor is all the way up to temp but then they are very close. (I have the LED dipstick in mine as well).

[grc]

nixobilly,

It sounds like you may have two issues, an inoperative gauge and a poor location for the sending unit.

[jfh]

I am glad that I am not the only one to experience this problem.  When installed on my '05 FLHTI per H-D instructions it worked fine.  I removed the gauge and installed it on my '07 FLHTC on the upper line from the H-D accessory oil cooler (same one used on '07 FLHTCUSE2) and could not get the needle to move. I thought there was a problem with the gauge or sensor and swapped it for a new one, but got the same results.  To get to the core of the problem, I temporarily removed the complete oil cooler to include the filter adapter.  I reinstalled the gauge following the instructions for use without the oil cooler.  The 2007 Oil Temperature Gauge Instalation Kit (PN 26133-07) includes a different oil filter adapter.  It looks the same as the adapter used with the oil cooler except it does not have hose fittings. It also has a different part number and I suspect that it lacks the internal thermostat. One of the holes is plugged and the other accepts the oil temp sensor.  With the gauge installed in this manner, it now works although it takes quite a while before I get a reading (ambient temps are in the high 40's - low 50's).  The MoCo really missed the mark on their recommended instalation procedure for this gauge on bikes equiped with oil coolers.  Another installation note is that the installation adapter kit does not provide updated information on where to tap the power from on the '07 fuse block which is different than earlier models.  I eventually chose to tap into the old ambient air temp gauge power wire behind the faring which is much easier than running the power lead all the way back to the fuse block.
Since reading this thread, I will move the temp sensor to the oil pan and reinstall the cooler.

[Robmay]

I have one waiting to be put in at my 1000 mile service, I think i am going to pass on it. Just one more thing to worry about that I don't need to worry about anyway.

[erniezap]

I've had the sending unit in the pan for ~10K miles with no issues whatsoever.  Sure beats the useless Air Temp...

[bikerdude]

I had the oil temp installed and it never gets ove 110 even in traffic. I had them remove it and install a after market guage that goes to the oil pan now it reads correctly.

[RJ749]

I had the oil temp installed and it never gets ove 110 even in traffic. I had them remove it and install a after market guage that goes to the oil pan now it reads correctly.

BD, welcome.

[nixobilly]

Followed everyone's advice and moved it to the pan about 2 months ago and it has worked perfect ever since.

Mark

[bisounours]

Morning BikerDude,      
  
Welcome from the other border !   (FRANCE)      
It'll be nice for the other members if you presente you (with a pic of your bike) in the Thread "New Member Introduction"  [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

Regards    
Jacques