C3 Gauge problems
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
C3 Gauge problems
recently installed new dash,driver and passenger panels and new center console w new gauges. Voltage,oil pressure, clock, seem to work ok. Water Temp always reads @230 and goes down to 220 after driving a while. Ran out of gas today new gauge showed 1/4 tank also installed a new low fuel sensor which never came on. A new circuit board was also installed. Any ideas or help would be appreciated.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
you installed a new gauge for the fuel gauge? If you did, did you re-use the resistor. If you did remove it and the gauge should read correctly. The new gauges have the resistor built into the pod so you use the spacer that came with the gauge and no resistor.
If you have the resistor in place, you're now running 180 ohms resistance..
Willcox
If you have the resistor in place, you're now running 180 ohms resistance..
Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Why would you replace gauges that worked fine??? Any changes you make to something requiring 'calibration' is asking for problems.
Sorry... I'm just against the process of swapping out 'stuff' just to make it look better...
Also.. Whenever one makes changes to gauges, it is best to check calibration and/or operation before complete reassembly. Differences in calibration between sensors and gauges is a VERY common issue.
Sorry... I'm just against the process of swapping out 'stuff' just to make it look better...
Also.. Whenever one makes changes to gauges, it is best to check calibration and/or operation before complete reassembly. Differences in calibration between sensors and gauges is a VERY common issue.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Sep 6, 2014 at 12:23 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Gauges
[QUOTE=7T1vette;1587769747]Why would you replace gauges that worked fine??? Any changes you make to something requiring 'calibration' is asking for problems.
Sorry... I'm just against the process of swapping out 'stuff' just to make it look better...
Also.. Whenever one makes changes to gauges, it is best to check calibration and/or operation before complete reassembly. Differences in calibration between sensors and gauges is a VERY common issue.[/QUOTE
Sorry... I'm just against the process of swapping out 'stuff' just to make it look better...
Also.. Whenever one makes changes to gauges, it is best to check calibration and/or operation before complete reassembly. Differences in calibration between sensors and gauges is a VERY common issue.[/QUOTE
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Junction City OR
My question to you is where did you buy the new gauge cluster? Is it a restored factory cluster or a reproduction. What was the original problem with the gauge(s) that did not work and how is it now compared to the originals.
What did you fuel gauge do before you replaced the cluster. The resistors on the gauge typically range between 97-103 OHMs and depending on the manufacture may or may not be required. I would make sure that is not your case.
Have you done a OHM test on the sending unit? It has a 0 (at empty) - 90 OHM (full) range. They are easy to test if you have a DVOM.
I would not be surprised to find out the fuel gauge needle was installed incorrectly. It is a common problem on stock gauge restorations.
I can help you diagnose if you are willing to do some procedures.
Take care,
Tom
What did you fuel gauge do before you replaced the cluster. The resistors on the gauge typically range between 97-103 OHMs and depending on the manufacture may or may not be required. I would make sure that is not your case.
Have you done a OHM test on the sending unit? It has a 0 (at empty) - 90 OHM (full) range. They are easy to test if you have a DVOM.
I would not be surprised to find out the fuel gauge needle was installed incorrectly. It is a common problem on stock gauge restorations.
I can help you diagnose if you are willing to do some procedures.
Take care,
Tom
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Thank you for your reply. Yes I did install a new fuel gauge and a new low fuel warning module. I did not use the old resistor. The fuel gauge at 1st showed 3/4 full and I ran out of fuel at 1/4 tank. Im also trying to find out were the water temperature sending unit is on the 77 350 block
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
My question to you is where did you buy the new gauge cluster? Is it a restored factory cluster or a reproduction. What was the original problem with the gauge(s) that did not work and how is it now compared to the originals.
What did you fuel gauge do before you replaced the cluster. The resistors on the gauge typically range between 97-103 OHMs and depending on the manufacture may or may not be required. I would make sure that is not your case.
Have you done a OHM test on the sending unit? It has a 0 (at empty) - 90 OHM (full) range. They are easy to test if you have a DVOM.
I would not be surprised to find out the fuel gauge needle was installed incorrectly. It is a common problem on stock gauge restorations.
I can help you diagnose if you are willing to do some procedures.
Take care,
Tom
What did you fuel gauge do before you replaced the cluster. The resistors on the gauge typically range between 97-103 OHMs and depending on the manufacture may or may not be required. I would make sure that is not your case.
Have you done a OHM test on the sending unit? It has a 0 (at empty) - 90 OHM (full) range. They are easy to test if you have a DVOM.
I would not be surprised to find out the fuel gauge needle was installed incorrectly. It is a common problem on stock gauge restorations.
I can help you diagnose if you are willing to do some procedures.
Take care,
Tom
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Junction City OR
Thank you for your reply. Yes I did install a new fuel gauge and a new low fuel warning module. I did not use the old resistor. The fuel gauge at 1st showed 3/4 full and I ran out of fuel at 1/4 tank. Im also trying to find out were the water temperature sending unit is on the 77 350 block
Since you bought these and they were Delco parts, they should use a resistor to work correctly. Did the new gauge come with a new resistor or instructions that advise against using one?
When the gauge does not respond at all, it usually means it has lost 12V to the gauge or the gauge is just bad. Now that you have a new gauge, it sounds like you have another issue. What happens if you remove the tan wire from the sending unit or un hook the ground from the sending unit? The gauge should read at 3 o clock.
Is the fuel gauge sending unit easily accessible on a 77? I am not that familiar with the year.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The gauges are not made by Delco... they are imported from China in a Delco box. Bogus b/s if you ask me... but I'm not the one making them. I carry them as do other vendors... and they work nicely when installed. But they also come with a tiny print instruction sheet and if you don't pay attention to it.. we'll they won't work if you use the original resistor in line your new gauge will not work properly.
IMHO,
Willcox
IMHO,
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Sep 7, 2014 at 08:23 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Junction City OR
The gauges are not made by Delco... they are imported from China in a Delco box. Bogus b/s if you ask me... but I'm not the one making them. I carry them as do other vendors... and they work nicely when installed. But they also come with a tiny print instruction sheet and if you don't pay attention to it.. we'll they won't work if you use the original resistor in line your new gauge will not work properly.
IMHO,
Willcox
IMHO,
Willcox
It seems to be a common theme for these new aftermarket gauges that are eliminating the resistors and throwing a lot of people a curve ball.
Thank you for the knowledge.
Tom
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
The gauges are not made by Delco... they are imported from China in a Delco box. Bogus b/s if you ask me... but I'm not the one making them. I carry them as do other vendors... and they work nicely when installed. But they also come with a tiny print instruction sheet and if you don't pay attention to it.. we'll they won't work if you use the original resistor in line your new gauge will not work properly.
IMHO,
Willcox
IMHO,
Willcox
Last edited by B. Figueroa; Sep 7, 2014 at 09:51 PM. Reason: too many nuts!!!! LoL
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Good information Willcox. I have not had the pleasure of working with these new Delco gauges. I prefer to find good used originals and bench test them before they are installed.
It seems to be a common theme for these new aftermarket gauges that are eliminating the resistors and throwing a lot of people a curve ball.
Thank you for the knowledge.
Tom
It seems to be a common theme for these new aftermarket gauges that are eliminating the resistors and throwing a lot of people a curve ball.
Thank you for the knowledge.
Tom
They are china made.. how they get way with this I have no idea... It's sad that the boxes say Delco...
I've done extensive research on all the gauges over the years and the end result is the video's, tech pictures and tech video's on our site to help you guys..
But one of the most common mistakes made with the china gauges is that the resistor is used.. when this happens you are doubling the resistance on the gauge and it will always cause a problem.
If I was the OP.. I'd pull the center bezel.. and double check the resistors.. if they are there, remove them.. If they are not then you contact me at the support address and make sure you tell me what the needle is doing because the needle will always tell the tale..
Willcox