Temp Gauge Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
Temp Gauge Question
OK so I finally completed reinstalling all of the dash & console components & what a job it was. Everything works except the temperature gauge. Before I start removing the dash to get at the temp gauge is there some way of verifying it's a bad gauge & not some other issue?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
Ground out the wire at the sender. If the gauge pegs hot, you know the gauge is at least working. If you ground the wire and it does not move, you can narrow it down a little.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
by doing this you have confirmed the gauge is working, and the wiring from the dash gauge is fine including power and ground... So the only other item is the sending unit.
With a multi-meter see if you get a ohm reading from the sender. Make sure the sender doesn't have an excessive amount of Teflon tape on it. (first three threads only in my shop)
Willcox
With a multi-meter see if you get a ohm reading from the sender. Make sure the sender doesn't have an excessive amount of Teflon tape on it. (first three threads only in my shop)
Willcox
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
by doing this you have confirmed the gauge is working, and the wiring from the dash gauge is fine including power and ground... So the only other item is the sending unit.
With a multi-meter see if you get a ohm reading from the sender. Make sure the sender doesn't have an excessive amount of Teflon tape on it. (first three threads only in my shop)
Willcox
With a multi-meter see if you get a ohm reading from the sender. Make sure the sender doesn't have an excessive amount of Teflon tape on it. (first three threads only in my shop)
Willcox
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
OK so I connected one lead of the test meter to the sending unit terminal & grounded the other lead to the exhaust manifold. The reading was 2.5 ohms. This was with everything cold. Is there a problem with the sending unit or is the 2.5 ohms Reading OK?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
Ernie I don't understand what you mean by "hold a jumper wire to the side & see if it gets one". Did you see my previous post stating a reading of 2.5 ohms?
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I think this may be the problem I tend to get a bit zealous with the Teflon. I'll check to see if I get an ohm reading before I pull the sending unit which would call for draining the coolant not fun but sure beats having to pull the gauge cluster. I really appreciate everyone's help I've said many times & I'll say it again the folkson this forum are wealth of knowledge & always willing to share that knowledge. Thanks so much guys
Willcox
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
put a wire to ground..... and then hold it on the side of the sender case.... this will give you ground. Then check the sender for an ohms output. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Depends on the temp of the engine.. go to my site.. Select your year... then search temp... when you do this you'll get a selection menu... click on Tech pictures...
You'll find a chart of expected values per gauge.
Oh.. better yet.. I'll post it here.
You'll find a chart of expected values per gauge.
Oh.. better yet.. I'll post it here.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
I have the missing washer on the 3 oclock post syndrome (washer is in place). One thing I can't figure, is that if the fibre washer prevents the post from grounding on the gauge cluster case, what's to stop the 90 ohm resistor grounding it on the 9 oclock post that doesn't have the washer?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
Ernie I am assuming you guys sell a good quality sending unit.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
If that's the case I may hold off on replacing the sending unit. I know the motor temp is ok I checked it with a temp gun & after idling in the garage for 20 minutes with ambient temp of 87F upper rad hose read constant 188F