Well it's a red letter day for my "garage find" Estelle which has just sailed through it's first MOT in twenty years     I can now turn my attention to the small jobs the most important being the fuel and temperature gauges neither of which work, the low fuel warning light however does work so I presume that the gauge must be getting power unless there are two separate feeds to the gauge ?  I have tried earthing the wire from the sender and the gauge doesn't move, I have done the same with the temp sender wire and no joy there either.  Does anyone know whether both gauges share a common live feed from the fuse box or is that just wishful thinking ??  I am hoping that if I can restore power to the gauges somehow things may start working.  I have checked all the fuses and all's well and other items on the same fuse (according to the owners manual)  work fine, ie. the ign lights washers etc so I am thinking this is going to get complicated    

The fuel gauge could be down to the sender failing in the tank.....the low fuel light is on a seperate system. I have just had this on one of mine and fixed it by replacing the sender. Mine related to the earth which is picked up on one the sender screws. I temporarily fixed it several times but gave up and replaced. If no one answers you quicker I will have a look at a set of gauges out of the car tomorrow and see if there are seperate lives.

Edited 7 November, 201312 yr by hawkeracing

Thanks, I just had a feeling that because both were not working it was maybe just the live feed to the gauges but knowing my luck it will not be that easy !   I could live without a fuel gauge but the temperature gauge is vital I don't want to cook the engine   

Yes they are on a shared live. I am guessing you don't have a rev counter? It is on the same live if you do....if you have the little set of warning lights then they are on a different live. It doesn't take long to get the gauges out....steering wheel off, 2 screws to take the cowlings off and then 4 to pull the gauges out - unscrew the speedo drive and bingo! The rest will be attached by 2 plugs.

Yes they are on a shared live. I am guessing you don't have a rev counter? It is on the same live if you do....if you have the little set of warning lights then they are on a different live. It doesn't take long to get the gauges out....steering wheel off, 2 screws to take the cowlings off and then 4 to pull the gauges out - unscrew the speedo drive and bingo! The rest will be attached by 2 plugs.

Thanks for the info, the car has no rev counter.   I managed to take the gauges out today and with a test lamp found I had power to one side of both gauges with the ignition on but nothing coming out the other side ?  I then used the lamp to test if there was power at both the fuel sender and the temp sender and nothing.  Am I being thick or should these be live with the ignition on ?  I wonder now if maybe I need a set of replacement gauges if I can find any.  The previous owner is dead so I cannot ask if this is an old problem that started before it was laid up or due to 20yrs inactivity.   I love the car and want to start using it when the weathers dry and the roads are salt free but I am paranoid the lack of a temperature gauge will mean I fail to notice any sign of overheating.

My thoughts are revolving around a component on the instrument PCB called the "voltage stabilisor". I don't know the Estelle PCB well enough to point it out, but based on the earlier posts and experience with other makes I think this may be the issue.

My thoughts are revolving around a component on the instrument PCB called the "voltage stabilisor". I don't know the Estelle PCB well enough to point it out, but based on the earlier posts and experience with other makes I think this may be the issue.

That sounds hopeful I spoke to a chap at the local garage today and he asked if the Skoda had a voltage stabiliser and to be honest I haven't a clue.  Maybe someone on here will know and point me in the right direction ie where to find it on the car if it exists and also where to get a replacement if it's faulty.  Thanks for the advice much appreciated. 

I don't think the Estelle has such a thing.......there is a voltage regulator in the engine bay but it controls the alternator and such and if it wasn't working correctly there would be more serious problems with the car. The gauges and all the warning lights wire straight into 2 connector blocks. The temperature sender is not live and I don't think the fuel sender is either.....it works on a resistance coil. It really is all very basic stuff. You should get a Haynes manual for starters....they cost next to nothing on Ebay and are pretty accurate on most stuff.

Do you have power in the red wire that runs between the 2 gauges....if you do then I think it's fair to say your issue is not with voltage or power. If you earth the temp sender wire with the power on you should see some movement - if not I would suggest the gage itself is dead. I have piles of gauges lying around if you want to try.

Thanks I will try the red connecting wire tomorrow but I am pretty sure I didn't get a reading between the two, but there again the test light did light up on one connection on BOTH gauges so there must be power ?    If it turns out to be both gauges could I possibly buy a pair from you ?  Many thanks for the help everybody.

I have various gauges so there would be no issue with sending you a couple. When I said 'its all basic stuff' I was meaning the equipment not figuring out what's wrong with it!

I have various gauges so there would be no issue with sending you a couple. When I said 'its all basic stuff' I was meaning the equipment not figuring out what's wrong with it!

I would like to buy a temperature and fuel gauge from you if possible as at least that would eliminate those being the cause.  If you let me know how much with p & p I would pay you directly.  I appreciate the help electrics are a bit of a "black art" to me, mechanics don't worry me but wires do

I am no electrical genius.....but if something has power and earth and you can earth the sender and nothing happens then that for me would point to the gauge. I have sent you a message.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and to Peter for the replacement gauges, these solved the problem so all ready for the warmer salt free weather !