Author Topic: Ralley dash fuel,temp,oil gauge rebuild can I do it myself?  (Read 1152 times)

Offline demo0211

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Ralley dash fuel,temp,oil gauge rebuild can I do it myself?
« on: April 23, 2014 - 10:34:53 AM »
Well I have power to my 3 gauges behind the dash and at the sending units, 10-11 volts going to the voltage limiter and approx 2-3 volts going to the gauges, tried grounding the gauges and the needle never moves on fuel, oil and temp so i'm thinking they are toast.  Can i remove and rebuild these myself?




Offline Giveitawack

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Re: Ralley dash fuel,temp,oil gauge rebuild can I do it myself?
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2014 - 01:39:30 PM »
The voltage regulator should put out 5 volts, if I'm not mistaken.
I replaced mine with a solid state.
The gauges (oil, fuel and temp) have a bi-metal strip that is wrapped in a wire that has a little resistance built into it. When a current flows through, it will heat up and bend the strip. This is what moves the needle.
I made an attempt to replace my wire on the oil and temp. And it actually worked. But not perfectly. You have to find a wire with the exact resistance, otherwise your gauges will show incorrect readings. (My problem)
Reproduction gauges are out there for ~ $80
I would go that route if I were you.
« Last Edit: April 23, 2014 - 01:41:28 PM by Giveitawack »

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Ralley dash fuel,temp,oil gauge rebuild can I do it myself?
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2014 - 03:44:23 PM »
Well I have power to my 3 gauges behind the dash and at the sending units, 10-11 volts going to the voltage limiter and approx 2-3 volts going to the gauges, tried grounding the gauges and the needle never moves on fuel, oil and temp so i'm thinking they are toast.  Can i remove and rebuild these myself?

First of all, you were grounding the wires that go to the sending units, right?

Can you post a pic of your gauges? Often when they are toast, the needles are way lower than normal.

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline demo0211

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Re: Ralley dash fuel,temp,oil gauge rebuild can I do it myself?
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2014 - 10:36:21 PM »
Yes I tried grounding the wire at the sending unit.  Attached is a pic of my gauges.  Since my voltage regulator/limiter is only outputting an intermittent 2.5-3.0 volts is that a problem as well?  Do I need to go with a new IVR?

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Ralley dash fuel,temp,oil gauge rebuild can I do it myself?
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2014 - 04:18:30 PM »
Thanks for posting that picture.

First off, the voltage out of the limiter is 5 volts pulsed, so if you are using a digital meter, that would explain it. You're just seeing the average reading.

From your picture, the oil and fuel pressure gauges look dead. The needles hang lower than normal.

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline demo0211

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Re: Ralley dash fuel,temp,oil gauge rebuild can I do it myself?
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2014 - 07:16:24 AM »
Good news, i decided to try a solid state limiter from RT Engineering ($50) to ensure i was getting the correct 5 volts to the gauges and the fuel and temp gauges are now working. I'm going to replace the oil sending unit to see if that one will work as well.   :cheers: