1973 C3 temperature gauge 280 deg
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
1973 C3 temperature gauge 280 deg
I have a 1973 C3 with temperature gauge problems. It is inop. The car has a 280 deg temperature gauge. All the 73 cars that I see have a 250 deg gauge. Wondering if that is my problem. When the temp sensor wire is grounded the needle points at around 260. The car has AC wondering if that is why I have a high temp gauge.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,743
Likes: 1,385
Let's see a picture of your gauge. Also, take a look at the Willcox adjustable resistor for dialing in your gauge (or your stock replacement gauge). It sounds like somebody put in a newer model's gauge.
And yep, it looks like 75-77 is a 280°F gauge from looking at the image on a vendors website. http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...help-guide.pdf
I would try ordering the adjustable resistor and trying to dial it in...... or just call Willcox if I got lost. Probably have to call Willcox because it could be either 75-76, or a 77 gauge...and they seem to require different adjustable resistors.
And yep, it looks like 75-77 is a 280°F gauge from looking at the image on a vendors website. http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...help-guide.pdf
I would try ordering the adjustable resistor and trying to dial it in...... or just call Willcox if I got lost. Probably have to call Willcox because it could be either 75-76, or a 77 gauge...and they seem to require different adjustable resistors.
I have a 1973 C3 with temperature gauge problems. It is inop. The car has a 280 deg temperature gauge. All the 73 cars that I see have a 250 deg gauge. Wondering if that is my problem. When the temp sensor wire is grounded the needle points at around 260. The car has AC wondering if that is why I have a high temp gauge.
Last edited by carriljc; Jan 7, 2021 at 11:59 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Check Willcox web site for info regarding proper calibration of temp gauge/senders for various years. You MIGHT be able to get yours working properly by merely installing a '75-77 temp sender in place of the stock '73 sender. The web site will detail if the '75-77 gauge required a calibration resistor on it (or not). I would have thought that shorting the sender wire to electrical ground should have caused the gauge to go to MAX reading. Since it did not, it could have something to do with the cal resistor or even some other 'odd' problem with the circuit.
I certainly wouldn't dig into the center gauge bezel if I could resolve the problem otherwise.
I certainly wouldn't dig into the center gauge bezel if I could resolve the problem otherwise.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
Removed the center gauge cluster bezel . Discovered that I have 1976 cluster bezel and gauges. Explains the 280 deg temp gauge. The radio has 1976 written on it also. Wondering if 76 gauges are going to work with my wire harness.
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