1981 oil temp gauge
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
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1981 oil temp gauge
I know ther ehas been some kdicsussion on this in the past. I recently purchased a 1981 and the oil temp gauge is always pegged high. When I bought the car the tach was not working and I found a lead at the distributor that was not connected. I conceccted it and the tach nows properly. There is another lead next it that is also disconnected. It does not seem to work anywhere, but I thought it may be related to the oil temp gauge. Does anyone have any ideas about this? thanks.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: Ormond Beach Florida
I know ther ehas been some kdicsussion on this in the past. I recently purchased a 1981 and the oil temp gauge is always pegged high. When I bought the car the tach was not working and I found a lead at the distributor that was not connected. I conceccted it and the tach nows properly. There is another lead next it that is also disconnected. It does not seem to work anywhere, but I thought it may be related to the oil temp gauge. Does anyone have any ideas about this? thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
That other lead or terminal at the distributor is for testing...it does not connect to anything and has nothing to do with the oil temp sensor.
The oil temp sensor is located just above the oil filter; has a single push-on terminal...just like the coolant temp sensor in the head on the driver's side.
Always pegged means the input to the gauge is grounded or open...cannot remember which and do not have my schematics available at this time. The problem could be at the sensor or at the flex print connector or the flex print gauge connection; several places to check. Most likely is the hardest one to get to....the flex print connections.
Check the easy one first...the sensor and go from there.
Good luck.
As stated below, the oil temp gauge is hardwired....there is a three terminal connector on the back of it. I must have been thinking about the coolant temp gauge....that and failing memory.
The oil temp sensor is located just above the oil filter; has a single push-on terminal...just like the coolant temp sensor in the head on the driver's side.
Always pegged means the input to the gauge is grounded or open...cannot remember which and do not have my schematics available at this time. The problem could be at the sensor or at the flex print connector or the flex print gauge connection; several places to check. Most likely is the hardest one to get to....the flex print connections.
Check the easy one first...the sensor and go from there.
Good luck.
As stated below, the oil temp gauge is hardwired....there is a three terminal connector on the back of it. I must have been thinking about the coolant temp gauge....that and failing memory.
Last edited by LannyL81; Apr 15, 2012 at 08:52 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
The Oil Temp gauge is not connected with the flex circuity like the other gauges in the cluster, it is hard wired.
Gauge pegging could occur if the sender wire is grounded or the sender is bad (low or no resistance).
As mentioned above, start with the sender and it's wiring and go from there. Unplug the sender and it should stop pegging- If not, check to see if the sender wire is pinched/grounded somewhere.
Elm
Gauge pegging could occur if the sender wire is grounded or the sender is bad (low or no resistance).
As mentioned above, start with the sender and it's wiring and go from there. Unplug the sender and it should stop pegging- If not, check to see if the sender wire is pinched/grounded somewhere.
Elm
