[cardkev]

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Just bought this 1982 GL1100A. Usually once per ride the fuel and temp gauges increase to maximum when riding. When you come to idle, they seem to eventually decrease to normal. Early on I thought I was over heating, but that's not the case. I'm thinking it may be the 7 volt regulator for the gauges, any idea?

 

[FitzAl]

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Same thing happened to mine. It's the stabiliser all right, its inside the idiot lights cluster housing.

 

[exavid]

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The 7V regulator is surely the culprit, you might want to do something about it soon as hitting the gauges with the full 12V+ won't do them any good.

 

[cardkev]

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Found an aftermarket 7 volt reg. for $25 on ebay new. I figured it was worth a shot considering the OEM priced at $92. I haven't received it yet, but I'll let you know how it works. This my help save you all a little money if it works for me. He sells them for the pre 1978 GL1000 also.

 

[Budegan]

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Someone posted here about them before cardkev. They do work fine on the Goldwing apparently.

 

[Goldwinger1984]

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Great idea cardkev. I just love it when guys find ways to keep the older Wings on the road at low costs. Thanks for posting that info.

Vic

 

[Goldwinger1984]

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cardkev, could you pleasepost a link to that 7 volt regulator so we know who is selling it?

Vic

 

[Silicon Sam]

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The seller's screen name is Roberth9. Here's his latest auction.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4556045445&category=50463&sspagename=WDVW

Amazing, for such a cheap item, Honda sure charges a lot. I cracked open a bad one I had, and all it is is a 7807 voltage regulator with some filter caps. The 78 means positive voltage and 07 is the voltage.

Raymond

 

[Goldwinger1984]

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Thanks for the info Raymond.

Vic

 

[cardkev]

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OK, got the regulator in, works as advertised, reads about 7.15 volts. Fuel gauge works great now, appears accurate. However, the temp gauge is working but reads very low. Barely makes it out of the blue area, but it does increase. I doubt here in Florida with the temp in the morning at 80deg F that I'm running that cool. Is there anyway to test the sensor or gauge?

Forgot one piece of info. While assembling the instrument panel I did blow the 5A fuse associated with it. One of the wires I stuffed in there must have shorted to ground. I took it back apart rearranged the wires and reassembled. Replaced the fuse and had no further episodes. Not sure if this screwed up the gauge?

 

[Goldwinger1984]

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Yes there is a way to test the sensor and gauge. For the gauge, if you ground the wire running to the sensor (with the key in the run position)the reading should read maximum then drop down when the ground is released.

For the sensor you have to remove it and place it in a pan of cold water on the stove after attaching the leads from a digital VOM. At room temperature the readings will be 2-3 K ohms and at 176 degrees the reading will be 0.02 -0.04 Kohms.

Use a Farenheit thermometer in the water so you can observe the temp changes.

Hopefully your gauge will be OK.

Vic

 

[exavid]

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Or if you have the sensor removed and still hooked up to the bike, (you will need to add a temporary ground wire) bring out a good sized pan of water that was brought to a boil, 1/2 gallon or so and dip the sensor in that to see where the temp gauge on the bike goes. It should read 3/4 scale or around there.

 

[jefram]

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jimchristiansenposted this link last November in a thread titled "Blown 12 to 7 volt regulator for gauges". I used it to build my own regulator for less than $10 in parts from Radio Shack. It has been on the bike for over 3K miles thru cold, rain and heat and still works fine.

http://members.cox.net/dfarrell4/7vreg.html

 

[Goldwinger1984]

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exavid wrote:

Or if you have the sensor removed and still hooked up to the bike, (you will need to add a temporary ground wire) bring out a good sized pan of water that was brought to a boil, 1/2 gallon or so and dip the sensor in that to see where the temp gauge on the bike goes. It should read 3/4 scale or around there.

Good idea Paul, this will show the gauge operatingas long as he is not clumsy and spills the water on himself..

If you do it this way make sure you figure some way to attach the pot of boiliong water to the bike because hot water can melt skin.

Vic

 

[Goldwinger1984]

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[cardkev]

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Thanks for all the help from everyone. Got the gauge fixed last night. It's an embrassing story. When I hooked the 7v lead back up to the rear of the gauge, I attached it to the fuel gauge not the temp gauge. Therefore, there was no nut on the temp side to make contact with the metal strip that connects the two. So no power was at the temp gauge. Again I appreciate all the help.

 

[Goldwinger1984]

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It could happen to the best of us. Glad you got it fixed.

Vic