Anyone else had any experience of a water temp gauge acting perfectly fine one minute (85ish degrees) and then dropping down to 40 degrees and wobbling there?
What gauge have you got, is it a standard 52mm analogue type? The sensor is probably a typical VDO type they operate between 40 to 120degC but can go a lot lower/higher, but the gauge probably won't. I would start by checking your wiring, loose connections etc.
Wiring will be first step. Has only ever happened on track and the engine normally runs cooler than it does in normal driving! Just wondered if the 'Gees' affect it??? Long shot..
I had this same problem on my oil pressure VDO gauge, it would show 3 to 4 bar one second then drop to 1 bar for no apparent reason and indeed as the boys said it was faulty connections....
i cleaned the wires and the connecting terminals and touch wood it has been ok ever since.