Temp gauge question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jtminton · 06-08-2005, 11:47 AM

I am having a problem with my temp gauge, and was hoping somebody can help. When I turn on the key, the needle pegs to the right. It moves so fast, you can hear it click on the peg when it does.

Here is a picture with the key off:

This is what happens when I turn on the key:

I have a new sender, and the wire from the sender to the firewall looks good. I pulled the dash and made sure the nuts on the circuit board thing were tight, but it didn't do any good.

Suggestions what to check next?

jhow66 · 06-08-2005, 11:50 AM

Does it return to the left if you remove wire from sender with switch on?

jtminton · 06-08-2005, 11:58 AM

I'll have to check that when I get home. It's sunny, so I rode the bike today. If it does, what would that indicate?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhow66

Does it return to the left if you remove wire from sender with switch on?

**pjmoreland** · 06-08-2005, 12:20 PM

Sounds like the green wire that connects to the sender is shorted out somewhere.

67chevemall · 06-08-2005, 12:36 PM

ya the green wire is pinched or cut open onto metal somewhere.
Just follow it to the sensor or replace it.

jhow66 · 06-08-2005, 12:39 PM

As the said

mtdave2 · 06-08-2005, 01:52 PM

i had the same thing happen to my truck. i ended up replacing the gauge. first time it did it i about had a heart attach. driving on the highway at 70, look down and the temp was pegged. i turned the truck off and pulled over. i thought something was strange, usualy when something overheats like that, there is a smell,,you all know im sure...

i popped the hood and looked. everythign was fine. so i figured it was the gauge. freaked me out though!

*wolfthing2000* · 06-08-2005, 04:37 PM

My truck is doing same and I twiddled around with wire and it worked good for awhile. I found a good front harness at wreck yard. Will replace all.

Wolfthing

A.P. · 06-08-2005, 05:56 PM

jhow66 I had this same problem when I installed a new sender, it was the wrong one. Use an ohm meter and measure the resistance between sensor and ground. On my truck it now measures open with the engine cool. As the engine warms up, the resistance drops.
Good luck.

jacill · 06-10-2005, 03:47 PM

I have about the same problem with mine. I checked and made sure that the wire was good and bought a brand new gauge and sending unit. My wire goes into the fuse box is that correct? If it is then I think my circuit board is bad. That is about all it can be isn't it. Don't mean to infringe on your post just trying to get more ideas out there.

jtminton · 06-10-2005, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacill

Don't mean to infringe on your post just trying to get more ideas out there.

No problem! I do it all the time!

Hey, does anybody know if you are looking at the back of the gauge, which post (left or right) the power hooks up to, and which one the sender hooks up to? I was thinking of just running my own wire straight from the sender.

06-08-2005, 11:47 AM	#1
jtminton II Timothy 4:2 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 361	Temp gauge question I am having a problem with my temp gauge, and was hoping somebody can help. When I turn on the key, the needle pegs to the right. It moves so fast, you can hear it click on the peg when it does. Here is a picture with the key off: This is what happens when I turn on the key: I have a new sender, and the wire from the sender to the firewall looks good. I pulled the dash and made sure the nuts on the circuit board thing were tight, but it didn't do any good. Suggestions what to check next? __________________ 72 C-20 2WD LWB Custom Camper Deluxe 350 4 Speed "Project Lazarus" MY TRUE PRIDE AND JOY "Dangit, Bobby, people will see that oil stain and think I'm a drunk."

06-08-2005, 11:50 AM	#2
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Does it return to the left if you remove wire from sender with switch on? __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

06-08-2005, 12:39 PM	#6
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	As the said __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

06-08-2005, 01:52 PM	#7
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	i had the same thing happen to my truck. i ended up replacing the gauge. first time it did it i about had a heart attach. driving on the highway at 70, look down and the temp was pegged. i turned the truck off and pulled over. i thought something was strange, usualy when something overheats like that, there is a smell,,you all know im sure... i popped the hood and looked. everythign was fine. so i figured it was the gauge. freaked me out though! __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

06-08-2005, 12:20 PM	#4
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,066	Sounds like the green wire that connects to the sender is shorted out somewhere.

06-08-2005, 12:36 PM	#5
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	ya the green wire is pinched or cut open onto metal somewhere. Just follow it to the sensor or replace it.

06-08-2005, 04:37 PM	#8
wolfthing2000 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,276	My truck is doing same and I twiddled around with wire and it worked good for awhile. I found a good front harness at wreck yard. Will replace all. Wolfthing

06-08-2005, 05:56 PM	#9
A.P. Black 72 Chevy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 662	jhow66 I had this same problem when I installed a new sender, it was the wrong one. Use an ohm meter and measure the resistance between sensor and ground. On my truck it now measures open with the engine cool. As the engine warms up, the resistance drops. Good luck.

06-10-2005, 03:47 PM	#10
jacill Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 18	I have about the same problem with mine. I checked and made sure that the wire was good and bought a brand new gauge and sending unit. My wire goes into the fuse box is that correct? If it is then I think my circuit board is bad. That is about all it can be isn't it. Don't mean to infringe on your post just trying to get more ideas out there.



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