temp guage not registering

[jphillips]

Okay here is the deal. My 78 elco had a long speedo .I swapped it for for round ones. Reconfigured the plug. The temp guage still doesn't work. And it has a new sender for a guage. Do these guages go bad? or a defective sender? Any thoughts are welcomed. Thanks, Jason

 

[bob64]

So the cluster you pulled it to replace the speedo ? Did temp gauge work before ? Did you put same sending type unit in when you replaced it. 2 different styles of sending units.
Check back of cluster there is nut for the temp gauge, they sometimes become loose. Also the plug on back of cluster, follow the cluster web from the temp gauge an see if plug lines up.

 

[86MCSS86]

Gauges do go bad. I believe you need a different sender. You need one for the gauge not the "idiot" light. If you do have the correct sender easy way to test if it's the gauge or the sender is to unplug the sender wire and ground it. I think it should go to the highest reading. If it goes to the highest reading it could be the sender.

 

[pontiacgp]

if you ground the wire for the gauge the gauge should go to the end of the scale....all a temp gauge is is an ohm reader

 

[V8 Rumble]

If the other troubleshooting checks are good you may need to check the circuit panel behind the gauges to make sure none are broken.