Temperature gauge

[Robin7TFour]

HOWDY ALL, i am still having problems getting my temp gauge to work. i used a small pot (adj resistor) and could get the gauge to move slightly. if i go straight to ground the temp pegs to full hot.
my question is; has anyone wired a resistor inline to get the gauge to read correctly?

thanks

Robin

 

[80convertible]

Did you replace your temp sending unit?

 

[Robin7TFour]

MR 80, so far i have tried 4 different sending units. even got one that John Z recommended. i am baffled ,because i can ground the wire and the gauge works.i am trying to avoid having to send the temp unit out and spend $80+ to have the gauge rebuilt.
thanks for the thought.

Robin

 

[80convertible]

I feel your pain. I'm trying to get my oil temp gauge to work. If I ground it, it pegs to the right, however, I can't get it to work properly. No explanation why it does not work.


A thought just occured...what about wiring the temp sending unit directly to the temp gauge while the temp sensor is in hot water. This would ensure that there is not some fault in the wiring causing a change in resistance. Even better may be to remove the gauge and battery from the car. Give the gauge direct 12 volt power from the battery. At the same time place the sensor in hot water and run the wire directly to the temp gauge. Also run a wire to ground. 3 simple connections. Do all of this outside of the car. This rules out any faulty wiring in the car. I think I will do the same for my oil temp gauge.

 

[Robin7TFour]

Mr 80, in a way i've allready done most of the wiring checks. with the gauge cluster laid out in the car, i confirmed 12v power and -ground. then i used other sources to see if there were any differences. even went so far as to run a completely separate test wire(sender to gauge) on a test drive
i am pulling what few hairs i have left. i am sure it's so simple to fix,but i can't seem to find it.

HELP

ROBIN

 

[80convertible]

There is a company called Redline Gauges. I bought a 140mph speedo from them about a year ago. Do a search on this forum for them as I know there have been several postings about this highly reputable company. Try to find their phone number...I'll also look for my receipt with their number. These guys may be able to offer advice. They are a small yet friendly company who would probably be glad to offer advice over the phone.

 

[Robin7TFour]

80(wish i knew your name), i tinkered with it again tonight.when i put my test light inline ,from the wire to the sender. nothing. but if i put testlight on wire to a ground surface the light lights up and the gauge will show appx190.
then i checked the voltage on the green sending wire i have 10-12 volts in the circuit.so, i know the path to the gauge is good ,gauge is working(at least to show something) so now i am,i think, back to the sending unit. bummer because i have three others that didn't work either.
just call me baffled below the mason-dixon.......

 

[80convertible]

My name is Jim and I am from below the Mason-Dixon line. I'm actually from Atlanta...just living up north for a few years. Graduated from the University of Georgia and despise the Florida Gators.I really find it hard to believe that 4 sending units are all bad. Are they AC Delco sending units? Even if the unit was bad, the gauge would probably show some type of reading...just maybe not the correct reading. I wish I was an electrical expert to offer better advise. That is why I recommend reaching out to a gauge expert. The phone number for Redline Gauge is 800-375-2310. Another person I spoke to is Fred Olivia. He has a company called Vintage Auto Research and he calibrates and repairs instruments. I spoke to him once about a temp gauge problem that I was able to resolve on my own. His number is 1-954-755-1161. As I recall, by day Fred is an engineer but does repairs as a side business. He was very nice and helpful over the phone. Give these two companies a call on Monday.

 

[Robin7TFour]

HELLO JIM! actually i despise the gators also. prefer FSU for my in-state school. but my heart belongs to the Bulldogs....MISSISSIPPI STATE..of course.
i will contact both those reference you gave me. i know i am missing something and i bet it will be a no-brainer. i appreciate you spending the time to help me think all this thru.
hope i can help you sometime in return

your friend

robin

 

[Robin7TFour]

Jim, if you get a chance go to the gallery. you can see the early and latest pictures of my 74..


Robin

 

[Vanity Plate Bob]

Go to "Search" Type in temp gauge.

U may find some help there.

 

[80convertible]

HELLO JIM! actually i despise the gators also. prefer FSU for my in-state school. but my heart belongs to the Bulldogs....MISSISSIPPI STATE..of course.
i will contact both those reference you gave me. i know i am missing something and i bet it will be a no-brainer. i appreciate you spending the time to help me think all this thru.
hope i can help you sometime in return

your friend

robin

At least you root for the Bulldogs...even though it's the wrong ones Yesterday I am at an indoor batting cage / basketball facility for my sons 8th b-day. I turn around and a guy is walking in with a UGA baseball hat on. I introduce myself and ask if he is a UGA alumnus. He said no but he was in Atlanta a few months back. Just not expecting to see a UGA hat all the way up here in PA. When I fly my UGA flag during football season, people probably think I root for Greenbay with the big G on my mailbox.

Another thought I had at about 3:00 am. Are you using teflon tape on the sending unit? The reason I ask is that if you use to much teflon tape you can reduce the sending units ability to ground to metal. Just another thought.

 

[Robin7TFour]

Jim, allready made the teflon tape mistake just after i bought the car. removed all that even wire brushed the unit(s) and the hole in the head..

thanks

Robin

p.s. thank you also, Bob. i will do a search

 

[Robin7TFour]

EVENING , i just went back and did a search of past posting on this subject. my question now is; can anyone give me an ohm reading from their sending unit cold? then the same when engine is at running temp.
that way i can compare to my readings.
also, i noticed that a GM part was suggested. i have been using Autozone part that was recommended. any thoughts?

my pixiedust is fading

Robin

 

[Robin7TFour]

AAARRGGGHHH!!!, could someone post a picture of a 74 temp gauge. i just want to be sure i have the original gauge....i think i'll be buying a gauge soon..just can't make any progress..

 

[Robin7TFour]

HELLO ALL, well finally found the gauge problem. it wasn't the sender nor the wiring. it's the gauge gone bad. i used a progammable resistor board to simulate the sender and circuit. i couldn't get the needle to go to full hot. no matter what resistance i tried. best i got was appx 180-190. time to repair or replace.
anyone know of a reliable rebuilder, or a source for a used gauge.if those fail then who sells a good repro unit.


thanks for all your inputs

Robin

 

[Mac]

Hey Jim nice convertible I have a 1980 white convertible ill try to post a pic

Welcome to the CAC!

If you need some help in posting pictures, here's a thread that explains how to do so. http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com.../128319-how-do-i-include-photos-my-posts.html

Don't forget to drop by the New Members Introductions forum and say "hi" to everyone! New Member Introductions - Corvette Action Center - Corvette Forum

Looking forward to seeing the pictures of your 80 vert!

-Mac

 

[bill81vette]

Welcome to CAC!!
enjoy!!!!

 

[jimbil208]

temperature guage

Hello

I saw that you found the problem with the temperature guage.

I was goint to say if it's like the 1982 there are fiber washers between the guage and circuit board that have to be at the right place.
I don't have the book out now or I would tell you which ones.
Anyway,glad that you found the problem.
jimbil208