Temp sensor problem

[attngtr]

My coolant temp guage doesn't seem to work. I'm not sure if it is the guage or the sender. All my other guages work so I think it might be the sender. I can't seem to find anyone that sells it. Is there any easy way to check this or someone that sells the sender?
Thanks

 

[srercrcr]

If it quit all of a sudden I suspect a broken or disconnected wire.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

If you ground the sender wire, the gauge should peg if it works right.

 

[attngtr]

It wasn't all of a sudden. I bought the car with a blown motor and just rebuilt and installed another 350 over the weekend. So i had no idea what works or what doesn't. I broke the new motor in and the guage never moved. Other guages work fine. Someone at one time cut and spliced the sender wire under the hood. If I ground it I take it the key should at least be on or should the car be running?
Thanks for the help.

 

[joe_padavano]

My coolant temp guage doesn't seem to work. I'm not sure if it is the guage or the sender. All my other guages work so I think it might be the sender. I can't seem to find anyone that sells it. Is there any easy way to check this or someone that sells the sender?
Thanks

Which car? Factory or aftermarket gauges?

The sender for the factory gauges should look something like this ($16.99 from Partsamerica):

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDeta ... 90&PTSet=A

 

[attngtr]

Sorry it is for my 1983 Caballero. Thanks everyone I found one at Auto Zone for $6.99. I will try that and see what happens.

 

[srercrcr]

Now I suspect it has a sending unit in the 350 for idiot lights. Easy swap to one for gauges, except for the 350 engine combo to G Body gauges is pretty rare (option on wagons that I know of), unless all will work OK.

 

[megaladon6]

as said earlier, ground the connector as see if it indicates hot, if not check for power at the connector. if no power, trace back circuit till it has power and repair.

 

[attngtr]

OK I grounded the sender wire and the guage pegs itself so it is not that. I put a new sender in but havn't had time to run the car. Hope that fixes it.
Thanks