Help with my temp gauge

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    Author Topic: Help with my temp gauge  (Read 5552 times)

    Offline NorthWestcuda

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    Help with my temp gauge
    « on: April 24, 2008 - 12:52:29 PM »
    I have a 73 cuda with the rally dash and a 440.  The temp gauge doesn’t work.  Can someone tell me how to test\check my sending unit to see if it’s working?  Also, how would I check the temp dash gauge to see if it’s working correctly?  Let’s assume the wires are working and connected correctly.  I guess that a BIG ASSUMPTION!!!!!!!

    Thanks
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    1973 Cuda, 440 engine
    1972 Chevy 4x4 PU stepside
    2003 Ford F-350 Diesel


    Offline NorthWestcuda

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    Re: Help with my temp gauge
    « Reply #1 on: April 24, 2008 - 01:09:11 PM »
    I've found a link to some info at RTE Gauges.  I'll try that to start with. 
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    1973 Cuda, 440 engine
    1972 Chevy 4x4 PU stepside
    2003 Ford F-350 Diesel

    Offline Bullitt-

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    Re: Help with my temp gauge
    « Reply #2 on: April 24, 2008 - 03:45:37 PM »
    With the ignition ON ground the wire that connects to the sending unit, your gauge should peg, if it does the problem is with the sending unit, if not your problems lie elsewhere... I suppose your gas & oil gauges work.
    « Last Edit: April 24, 2008 - 06:44:41 PM by bullitt99 »
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    Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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    Re: Help with my temp gauge
    « Reply #3 on: April 24, 2008 - 04:30:26 PM »
    The sending unit would be an easy fix. Do the test bullitt99 suggested. If the gauge still doesn't move, then we can move on from there. Does the needle on the temp. gauge sag alot lower than the needle on your oil pressure gauge? That would be a sign the temp. gauge is burned up.


      Mike
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    Mike

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

    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    Re: Help with my temp gauge
    « Reply #4 on: April 25, 2008 - 02:28:52 AM »
    there is a regulator feeding a pulsing voltage to the guage then to the sender on the feul oil & temp guage , if the other 2 guages are working you have voltage so either the guage , wiring or sender is bad . The easy test is to ground the wire to the sender as suggested above , if the guage pegs it is the sender , if not test for voltage at the sender , if not test & the firewall & then at the guage , if no power is at the guage the the guage must be bad
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    Offline NorthWestcuda

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    Re: Help with my temp gauge
    « Reply #5 on: April 25, 2008 - 06:26:51 PM »
    I just tested the gauge by shorting out the sensor wire to the block.  The gauge peg out to high, so it looks like I have a sensor issue.  Thank God.  Thanks Boys
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    1973 Cuda, 440 engine
    1972 Chevy 4x4 PU stepside
    2003 Ford F-350 Diesel

    Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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    Re: Help with my temp gauge
    « Reply #6 on: April 25, 2008 - 06:59:53 PM »
    Quote from: NorthWestcuda on April 25, 2008 - 06:26:51 PM
    I just tested the gauge by shorting out the sensor wire to the block.  The gauge peg out to high, so it looks like I have a sensor issue.  Thank God.  Thanks Boys

    That sounds GREAT!! Those sending units are cheap, and a whole lot easier to fix than taking out the gauges.  :grinyes:


      Mike
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    Mike

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

    Offline NorthWestcuda

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    Re: Help with my temp gauge
    « Reply #7 on: December 04, 2008 - 12:17:46 PM »
    I know its been awhile since I posted any updates regarding my temp gauge issue.  So here is the update.  As I said before the gauge will peg out to "high" if I short out the sending wire to the block.  So I bought a new sending unit and installed it, but still didn't get the temp gauge to respond.  I pulled out the new sending unit cleaned the threads and reinstalled it again. Still can't get the temp gauge to work.  FYI, gas and oil gauge works.   Thoughts????   
    « Last Edit: December 05, 2008 - 11:36:09 AM by NorthWestcuda »
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    1973 Cuda, 440 engine
    1972 Chevy 4x4 PU stepside
    2003 Ford F-350 Diesel

    Offline 340_6pak

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    Re: Help with my temp gauge
    « Reply #8 on: December 04, 2008 - 12:30:14 PM »
    I have a 73 challenger with the same problem. After I took off the plumbers tape that I used when I installed the sender, it started to work a little. It never gets to the 1/2 way mark. But if I ground the wire to the sensor, it goes all the way to hot.
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    Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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    Re: Help with my temp gauge
    « Reply #9 on: December 04, 2008 - 07:14:41 PM »
    If your temp. gauge doesn't move at all, then I would suspect a grounding issue. You know the gauge works, along with the wire to the sending unit... So something about the sender isn't up to snuff. Either a bad sender, or bad ground to it.



      Mike
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    Mike

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

    Offline rusty dodge

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    • 74 challenger 440-727-3:55
    Re: Help with my temp gauge
    « Reply #10 on: December 04, 2008 - 10:46:27 PM »
    Ohm meter check the sender to ground with the wire removed from it. Should have 10-20 ohms with the engine warmed up.
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    Offline ntstlgl1970

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    Re: Help with my temp gauge
    « Reply #11 on: December 07, 2008 - 08:04:03 PM »
    might want to make sure the thermostat is good (or is actually there) considering the time of the year it may not be warming up.
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    70 Cuda, 7.0L Gen-III Hemi, Viper T56 w/9310 gearset, 3.91's, Megasquirt MS3x v3.57, Innovate wideband, Firm Feel upper arms, torsion bars, springs and strut rods, QA1 DA shocks. I did everything on this car except the fancy paint stuff and I drive it...and I can't seem to stop messing with it....
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