Temp Gauge Not Working - HELP!!!

[t1971Chally]

Ok guys,

Lately I have been trying to work out all the little bugs that needed corrected with my car.  I am now at the one that I must admit "I dread the most to tackle"!!! Why?  I hate electrical problems and I know nothing about electrical stuff.  Anyway, my temp gauge does not work!  I have tried grounding it out to see if it pegs out and nothing!  I have switched out the gauge with another used gauge and nothing!  I am now convince that it is something to do with the wiring between the gauge and sending unit.  Just a little background info. I have installed a new sending unit, new radiator (obviously has nothing to do with the issue), new thermostat (again nothing to do with the issue), swapped out the gauge with another used gauge, and installed a new dash harness from Year One.  So, here I am and need your help to trouble shoot the issue.  How should I proceed from here?  I appreciate your help!!! 

Ted

[Katfish]

First off, I would check that you're getting voltage to the gauge, should be 5V. 
If this is ok, I would disconnect the wire at the sending unit and the gauge.  Then use a jumper to make this connection, doesn't matter how long.  Just run it from sender over fender and through window.

This will tell you if it's the wiring.

Circuit is pretty simple, 5V on 1 side and ground on the other.  Voltage regulator provides the constant 5V.  Sending unit provides variable ground path.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I'll assume you have non-Rally gauges. In any event, if the gas gauge works, then the voltage regulator/limiter on the back of the cluster is good. If you ground the wire going to the sending unit, and turn the key to the "on" position, the gauge should peg. If it doesn't, there could be a problem with the wire at the bulkhead connection, or you might have two dead gauges.   

[Chryco Psycho]

the voltage is actually a pulsing voltage from the regulator , as stated it is a simple circuit , if your gas gauge is working the regulator is working , , you should  have power to the gauge, power from the gauge to the sender & it grounds at the sender so see how far back you have power

[t1971Chally]

Hey guys good news!!!

I took your advice and jumpered from the temp sending unit to the temp gauge and it worked.  I went back to the temp sending unit and found a splice about 8 inches from the sending unit where the previous owner had spliced the plug for the sending unit to the wire going back to the temp gauge.  The splice was made with one of the metal tubes where you stick each end of the wire in the ends of the tube and crimp it down.  I starting looking at the crimp and it appeared that the crimp was made on the sheathing of the wire and and not the actual bare wire.  So I loosened the crimped and pulled the wires and tied them together the old fashion way (temporarily).  Low and behold,,,,,,,the temperature gauge works now!!!    Thanks for your help guys!!!  I keep saying this.....but the members of this site are great people with a tremendous amount of knowledge!!! Thanks....heres to you  !!!

[Chryco Psycho]

not hard to find , Glad you were able to locate the problem , just solder it & heat shrink it