Hidden tests

[marinaman]

Afternoon all
for the first time i accessed the hidden tests on the dash by adding up the numbers  etc. do my figures sound normal.  got 13.9v  on voltage all way on long journey ., dropped to 13.8 when i put lights on.  also the running temp was 69c    the gauge sits in the middle of the dial and doesnt go up or down no matter what speed or load,

thanks

[X5Sport]

13.9 is a little low and it will drop with the lights on due to the electrical load.  Better place to check the voltage is under the bonnet at the jump points.

Engine temp is too low and that sounds like a stuck thermostat that needs replacing.  Should be 20°C higher.

[Smeeagain]

[quote="marinaman"]
Afternoon all
for the first time i accessed the hidden tests on the dash by adding up the numbers  etc. do my figures sound normal.  got 13.9v  on voltage all way on long journey ., dropped to 13.8 when i put lights on.  also the running temp was 69c    the gauge sits in the middle of the dial and doesnt go up or down no matter what speed or load,

thanks
[/quote]

I get exactly the same readings as you. Yes 13.9 is a touch low but then the OBC isn't 100% accurate and as stated needs read under the bonnet. My temp sits a little higher around 74 and is, as stated, likely to be an open thermostat but It's been like that ages, doesnt impact running or fuel temp, and so I decided to leave it alone for now

Smee

[marinaman]

Thanks for advice,  with gauge sitting in middle and going up there pretty soon after cold start i presumed it was ok, i think id worry if the gauge read more toward the high end,  or is this the norm on this car ?

The heater air is also red hot rather than warm so again i thought seemed fine.

Is it a big job thermostat change ?

[Horizon]

Don't take much notice of the gauge, it's not to scale, the middle position can range from 70degrees to 110 degrees.
They do it to stop customers moaning