Caterpillar temp gauge failures...

Two years ago I had a new Caterpillar water temperature gauge on my D7E fail after less than 100 hours use. This week I was operating our D6B for the first time and was alarmed to see the needle on the Caterpillar water temperature gauge(not the original) continue to climb towards the red. The white line between the green and the red zones on that gauge is labeled 210 degrees, with the gauge registering very close to that line we used a known to be accurate temperature gun to check the actual temperatures of the cooling system. The highest temperature the gun read was 182 degrees.
The independent mechanic we use told us that he no longer uses Caterpillar water temperature gauges because of too many failures and/or inaccuracies. He recommended that the gauge be replaced with a Stewart-Warner mechanical gauge. There was also a heavy equipment contractor present during this conversation that said he was now using a Stewart-Warner gauge on his D6D after two Caterpillar gauges failed in one year.
I am wondering if anyone else is having trouble with new Caterpillar water temperature gauges.
Thanks,
Craig

I am curious to know what Caterpillar says about the failures. Any info?

I am also wondering if there is some kind of warantee!

I hate the dumb face on the new gauges. The old Stewart Warner ones looked like a real gauge not something that would go on a kiddie pedal tractor!

Well it sounds like yours lasted a lot longer than the one I got, my new Cat coolant temp gauge I originally put on my D2 only lasted through one warmup cycle. The next time I started it up the gauge was dead. I replaced it with an aftermarket one and haven't looked back.

Welcome to the "NEW World Order". Profits over quality, dependability and long life. 😠

Yeah, I fought hydraulic couplers Made In China all morning long yesterday on a baler tractor. Prolly didnt lose more than $2000 worth of work in the last couple of days on a hay tractor and baler, both nearly new! But hey, they're under warranty. All you have to do is wait on the dealer.