Replacing Temp Sensor In 2004 Sundance Capri

[linD43]

OK. I've retested per Wuice's instructions and do still get the 'high temp' message before it goes back to - - - - , so I am hoping that it is indeed just the temp sensor. As money is limited, I think I was rather hasty in deciding that **I** wasn't going to mess with it. I think that before I make that decision, I'd like to see what 'easy' entails. : )

Does anyone have step by step or better still PHOTOS of what is involved?

Fingers crossed,

linda in NH who is missing her hot tub!!

[wuice]

Turn down the volume, grab some popcorn and enjoy tempsensor replacement video.

(i just watched to confirm the instructions) This video is a little dated, but everything you would need to know is covered in the video. The part about a wire chase/conduit and guidestring shouldn't be needed on a capri.

The part you need is around 30 bucks and is a "800 series temp sensor" or part number 6600-167, get the oring that goes with it, 6540-228. Make sure you get the new style, the new ones look different because you can see the stainless steel core, the old ones are all plastic. Remember when you reinstall and tighten the new one, you don't need to crank it down very hard with an oring in there, just so the oring compresses down a little. Lemme know how it goes, and like the video says, turn off the power before you do anything.

[linD43]

Turn down the volume, grab some popcorn and enjoy tempsensor replacement video.

(i just watched to confirm the instructions) This video is a little dated, but everything you would need to know is covered in the video. The part about a wire chase/conduit and guidestring shouldn't be needed on a capri.

The part you need is around 30 bucks and is a "800 series temp sensor" or part number 6600-167, get the oring that goes with it, 6540-228. Make sure you get the new style, the new ones look different because you can see the stainless steel core, the old ones are all plastic. Remember when you reinstall and tighten the new one, you don't need to crank it down very hard with an oring in there, just so the oring compresses down a little. Lemme know how it goes, and like the video says, turn off the power before you do anything.

THANKS! I finally got the nerve to even WATCH the video (can you tell I'm not really excited about messing with the electrical guts of my tub?) though I'm not thrilled about it, it didn't look TOO bad! Hoping to be able to get the part locally, though when I called the guy (who I don't think was a tech) wasn't too convinced that I could know that was what the problem was without a tech looking at it.

Is there something else that it could be (like the heater itself) that would give me that error message? (Still gives me a Hi Temp reading on it's brief run before reverting to Watchdog mode.) At this point it is definitely NOT hot!

Thanks again.

linda in nh

[wuice]

Turn down the volume, grab some popcorn and enjoy tempsensor replacement video.

(i just watched to confirm the instructions) This video is a little dated, but everything you would need to know is covered in the video. The part about a wire chase/conduit and guidestring shouldn't be needed on a capri.

The part you need is around 30 bucks and is a "800 series temp sensor" or part number 6600-167, get the oring that goes with it, 6540-228. Make sure you get the new style, the new ones look different because you can see the stainless steel core, the old ones are all plastic. Remember when you reinstall and tighten the new one, you don't need to crank it down very hard with an oring in there, just so the oring compresses down a little. Lemme know how it goes, and like the video says, turn off the power before you do anything.

THANKS! I finally got the nerve to even WATCH the video (can you tell I'm not really excited about messing with the electrical guts of my tub?) though I'm not thrilled about it, it didn't look TOO bad! Hoping to be able to get the part locally, though when I called the guy (who I don't think was a tech) wasn't too convinced that I could know that was what the problem was without a tech looking at it.

Is there something else that it could be (like the heater itself) that would give me that error message? (Still gives me a Hi Temp reading on it's brief run before reverting to Watchdog mode.) At this point it is definitely NOT hot!

Thanks again.

linda in nh

Told ya it wasn't gonna be that bad, i have customers replace them themselves all the time trying to save a few bucks, you just need good eyes (or reading glasses), good light (don't do it in the evening/dusk), and time (go slow, no rushing at all).

If you are nervous remember the cost comparison, you really are not saving a "ton" of money, $30 and maybe some (unnecessary) stress for dyi, or $90-$120 for the professional to knock it out in 15 minutes.

Buy the part from a sundance dealer only, use the Dealer Finder to find the closest and go to the store or call them and have them send you the part numbers i listed previously. Again make sure you get the new stainless steel core, not the older plastic one.

I had you look at the temperature at bootup to help diagnose the temp sensor as the problem, heaters will not cause watchdog, and if it were a hi limit sensor you would see an "OH" error, a transformer or bad capacitor on the circuit board can cause watchdog...but wouldn't report the temperature as 104 when the water is 60. I'm like very sure, like very very sure, like i bet you 30 bucks it's the problem (turning this into a 60 dollar fix)

[linD43]

Turn down the volume, grab some popcorn and enjoy tempsensor replacement video.

(i just watched to confirm the instructions) This video is a little dated, but everything you would need to know is covered in the video. The part about a wire chase/conduit and guidestring shouldn't be needed on a capri.

The part you need is around 30 bucks and is a "800 series temp sensor" or part number 6600-167, get the oring that goes with it, 6540-228. Make sure you get the new style, the new ones look different because you can see the stainless steel core, the old ones are all plastic. Remember when you reinstall and tighten the new one, you don't need to crank it down very hard with an oring in there, just so the oring compresses down a little. Lemme know how it goes, and like the video says, turn off the power before you do anything.

THANKS! I finally got the nerve to even WATCH the video (can you tell I'm not really excited about messing with the electrical guts of my tub?) though I'm not thrilled about it, it didn't look TOO bad! Hoping to be able to get the part locally, though when I called the guy (who I don't think was a tech) wasn't too convinced that I could know that was what the problem was without a tech looking at it.

Is there something else that it could be (like the heater itself) that would give me that error message? (Still gives me a Hi Temp reading on it's brief run before reverting to Watchdog mode.) At this point it is definitely NOT hot!

Thanks again.

linda in nh

Told ya it wasn't gonna be that bad, i have customers replace them themselves all the time trying to save a few bucks, you just need good eyes (or reading glasses), good light (don't do it in the evening/dusk), and time (go slow, no rushing at all).

If you are nervous remember the cost comparison, you really are not saving a "ton" of money, $30 and maybe some (unnecessary) stress for dyi, or $90-$120 for the professional to knock it out in 15 minutes.

Buy the part from a sundance dealer only, use the Dealer Finder to find the closest and go to the store or call them and have them send you the part numbers i listed previously. Again make sure you get the new stainless steel core, not the older plastic one.

I had you look at the temperature at bootup to help diagnose the temp sensor as the problem, heaters will not cause watchdog, and if it were a hi limit sensor you would see an "OH" error, a transformer or bad capacitor on the circuit board can cause watchdog...but wouldn't report the temperature as 104 when the water is 60. I'm like very sure, like very very sure, like i bet you 30 bucks it's the problem (turning this into a 60 dollar fix)

LOL. No bets. Though the OH message gave me pause as I thought I recalled seeing that along with the overly hi temp reading when I last flipped the thing on. Just went out to re-check. This time it showed ONLY the OH before kicking back to watchdog. Great, just great ... so does that mean both things are gone? <sigh> There is a Sundance dealer about 40 minutes from here who has the part in stock, though I didn't think to ask about the stainless vs plastic part. I wish I hadn't procastinated about this as it's pretty cold out there. (32F) Of course if both things are kaput perhaps my best bet is to just drain it and hope I have more discretionary hot tub money in the spring. : (

[wuice]

Turn down the volume, grab some popcorn and enjoy tempsensor replacement video.

(i just watched to confirm the instructions) This video is a little dated, but everything you would need to know is covered in the video. The part about a wire chase/conduit and guidestring shouldn't be needed on a capri.

The part you need is around 30 bucks and is a "800 series temp sensor" or part number 6600-167, get the oring that goes with it, 6540-228. Make sure you get the new style, the new ones look different because you can see the stainless steel core, the old ones are all plastic. Remember when you reinstall and tighten the new one, you don't need to crank it down very hard with an oring in there, just so the oring compresses down a little. Lemme know how it goes, and like the video says, turn off the power before you do anything.

THANKS! I finally got the nerve to even WATCH the video (can you tell I'm not really excited about messing with the electrical guts of my tub?) though I'm not thrilled about it, it didn't look TOO bad! Hoping to be able to get the part locally, though when I called the guy (who I don't think was a tech) wasn't too convinced that I could know that was what the problem was without a tech looking at it.

Is there something else that it could be (like the heater itself) that would give me that error message? (Still gives me a Hi Temp reading on it's brief run before reverting to Watchdog mode.) At this point it is definitely NOT hot!

Thanks again.

linda in nh

Told ya it wasn't gonna be that bad, i have customers replace them themselves all the time trying to save a few bucks, you just need good eyes (or reading glasses), good light (don't do it in the evening/dusk), and time (go slow, no rushing at all).

If you are nervous remember the cost comparison, you really are not saving a "ton" of money, $30 and maybe some (unnecessary) stress for dyi, or $90-$120 for the professional to knock it out in 15 minutes.

Buy the part from a sundance dealer only, use the Dealer Finder to find the closest and go to the store or call them and have them send you the part numbers i listed previously. Again make sure you get the new stainless steel core, not the older plastic one.

I had you look at the temperature at bootup to help diagnose the temp sensor as the problem, heaters will not cause watchdog, and if it were a hi limit sensor you would see an "OH" error, a transformer or bad capacitor on the circuit board can cause watchdog...but wouldn't report the temperature as 104 when the water is 60. I'm like very sure, like very very sure, like i bet you 30 bucks it's the problem (turning this into a 60 dollar fix)

LOL. No bets. Though the OH message gave me pause as I thought I recalled seeing that along with the overly hi temp reading when I last flipped the thing on. Just went out to re-check. This time it showed ONLY the OH before kicking back to watchdog. Great, just great ... so does that mean both things are gone? <sigh> There is a Sundance dealer about 40 minutes from here who has the part in stock, though I didn't think to ask about the stainless vs plastic part. I wish I hadn't procastinated about this as it's pretty cold out there. (32F) Of course if both things are kaput perhaps my best bet is to just drain it and hope I have more discretionary hot tub money in the spring. : (

Heh, it's up to you since you know what you can/can't afford. If you were a customer of ours we wouldn't recommend you drain it and leave for the winter, simply because it's pretty hard on certain equipment (motors mostly) to sit in a totally static position while the moisture sets in on them (but of course our winters here are more wet, less snowy). Kinda like how you don't leave a car just sitting out through the winter. I would still suspect the temp sensor before anything else both from symptoms and the fact they fail about 100 times more than hi limit sensors (in the last 12 years ive replaced maybe 4 hi limit sensors, and hundreds of temperature sensors)

Did you ask the sundance dealer if they could let you pay off the bill over a few months? While it's not a normal practice for our dealership, we make exceptions for people that love/use/need their tub and obviously simply can't afford to pay in one lump payment.

[linD43]

I DID IT ! I DID IT !!! Yahoo! And it's WORKING ! Good thing, temps going down to low 20's tonight!

Thanks so much for your encouragement and GREAT DIRECTIONS. You were right (you don't know how much I hate admitting that to a guy! LOL) It WAS pretty easy. Biggest challenge was getting the wires out. (OK, the biggest challenge was getting the nerve up to do it!) Only one minor 'oops' that I'll deal with in the AM when I have better light. I was rushing towards the end as it was getting dark (definitely right AGAIN <g> about not doing it late in the day, but I didn't have much choice.) I missed threading the wire through the hole in the bottom of the electrical panel so couldn't put the cover back. I'll unwire and fix it tomorrow, but I've had enough excitement for one day. : )

Thanks again Wuice! If you were closer I'd buy you a beer !! : )

Have a great Sunday.

linda in nh

[jeffpye]

greetings!I

tried to view the video, as I am having the same problem with my tub, but it says the video is private...can I get access? Please?

[wuice]

greetings!I

tried to view the video, as I am having the same problem with my tub, but it says the video is private...can I get access? Please?

That was not my original video, I just found it doing a youtube search, but you are right, it seems like the author has now made it private

Sorry

edit: looks like this company has the same old video on their facebook page, second video down as of right now.

[Bob1953]

Having the watchdog code also on my 05 capri. can I just hook up the new temp sensor to se if is going to come alive? I already drained it, or does it have to sense water to operate? Thanks.

[CanadianSpaTech]

@Bob1953 Please start your own post