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78 Centre Gauge problems

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Old May 29, 2009 | 11:27 AM
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Default 78 Centre Gauge problems

Hello, Been rebuilding a 78 corvette and are at the stage of putting in the gauges. So far I have the fuel gauge and the temp gauge both at the 3 oclock position and the battery gauge and oil gauge dont seem to be working at all. Any ideas where to start and does any one have a picture of the back of there gauges so I can make sure everything is ok

Thanks
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Old May 29, 2009 | 08:58 PM
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You need to start out by going to the small gauge connector and verify the wires are doing what they should be doing. What I mean by this is test the wires to see if they have power, verify they have good ground and then test the input wires for signal.

On the fuel gauge, if you peg full you are missing the input signal from the unit. On the temperature gauge, well it depends on how accurate your 3 o’clock is. Missing signal will make the gauge needle move to right at 3 while a gauge missing the ground will usually move just past 3 o’clock.

With the oil gauge not doing anything, well you need to test the wires first.

The amp gauge can be tested real easy too! I’ll have to add to this tomorrow. I’m out of time tonight! I've got a schematic that will do wonders for your testing.

Willcox
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Old May 30, 2009 | 03:33 AM
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When I put the test light on the back I get power to orange, which i beleives the clock, which I dont have and and pink and black wire
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Old May 30, 2009 | 09:02 AM
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Here is a picture that will show you what belongs on what gauge. Once you test these wires and see what they are doing post again. Then we'll move to the gauges or the senders based on what you find.


Willcox Inc.


Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jun 4, 2009 at 11:03 AM.
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Old May 30, 2009 | 12:16 PM
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Hello for starters I am missing the low fuel warning thing in that left had corner would that make a difference. When I put the circuit tester on I am only showing power to the clock and the second power is he second one on the left according to the picture above
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Old May 30, 2009 | 05:06 PM
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The fuel gauge temp gauge amp and oil pressure are all powered by the second one from the top. (on the left in the picture on the right hand side of the car). The low fuel warning will not stop the fuel gauge from working.

Now go to the blue colored wires and test them for ohms and then verify that the grounds are good!

You really want to check the blue wires for input signal. . . This is stated why in my first post.

Post again when you are done!

I'll check back in few hours to check.

Willcox Inc.
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Old May 31, 2009 | 12:04 AM
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okay there is no ohms for fuel signal, the gen ground wire is showing 0.2 volts, Oil pressure is showing -0.13 and temp is showing .49 and dont have power to up the top on the left
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Old May 31, 2009 | 05:08 AM
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On the gauge itself I got .11 fuel 2.8 for oil and 0.04 temp, ohms on 20k multimeter
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 03:46 AM
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Should i try and ground the input wires to see if the gauges go back to the 9 oclock position, if they do, is that mean the sensors need to be replaced
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