temp gauge problem need help
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,062
Likes: 103
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
temp gauge problem need help
part of the restoration of the entire interior on my pace car includes replacement of the center console gauge cluster. i rebuilt the entire assembly using all new gauges, and a new circuit sheet. i tested it today and everything works fine (even the clock) except the temp gauge which is a completely restored original unit from redline gauges. when powered up, the pointer is exactly reversed from what it should be ie: it sets on the right side of the scale toward pegged hot, instead of on the left side of the scale as cold. other than the obvious that the gauge is defective (it is supposed to have been bench tested after the rebuild to insure it was working well), what could it be?? the gauge cluster (the old one) that i am removing had a properly functioning temp gauge, so i am assuming that the wiring to the panel (from the wire harness) and the temp sensor is functioning properly. i am looking for some help before i tear it all down and start all over again blindly.
thanks
steve
thanks
steve
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
Likes: 1
From: Same as our leaders Out of my mind
Matching Resistor
The temperature sending unit and the temperature gauge must be "matched" for them to work right. The original temp. gauge has a resistor across 2 of the terminals. See the green color coded resistor on this temp. gauge? If you vary the resistance by about 5 ohms, you will affect the way the gauge reads. It is a trial and error procedure, or you can ask your gauge manufacturer if they have a specific temperature sending unit for your temperature gauge.
Another point of interest - DO NOT SWAP OUT THE LITTLE STAMPED STEEL NUTS on the circuit board. They have a specific resistance and changing them may also affect the way your gauges perform. I had new hardware on mine and it took me a while to figure out that the nuts were at fault.
Another point of interest - DO NOT SWAP OUT THE LITTLE STAMPED STEEL NUTS on the circuit board. They have a specific resistance and changing them may also affect the way your gauges perform. I had new hardware on mine and it took me a while to figure out that the nuts were at fault.
Last edited by icanfixitforyou; Oct 28, 2006 at 08:20 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,062
Likes: 103
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
thanks for the detailed picture. the manufacturer supplied the proper resistor with the restored gauge. i need to insure that i assembled it correctly at this point, i guess. i plan on taking the assembly apart this evening and starting all over again on that gauge, to insure proper install. many thanks again.
