Adam,
Let's get a bit more information. Does your fuel gauge work correctly?
If it does, then the problem is in the wiring around the temp gauge, or
the sender. If the fuel gauge is not working also, then the dash regulator
located under the dash, to the right of the steering column is probably
defective.
Most of the electrical problems with our cars is caused by bad connections,
but checking the temp sender is much easier than running down a wiring
open connection. The temp sender is located on the left side of the engine,
right under where the lower radiator hose connects to the engine. It has
only one wire connected to it. Ground that wire and see if the gauge goes
to hot. If it does, replace the sender. If not, warm up the engine and
see if the two wires on the back of the temp gauge are tight. Wiggle them
around a bit. If you get a reading, or the connections are loose, clean
the connections and see if that helps.
If the gauge is still not functioning, we need to get into this a bit deeper.
You will need a D.C. voltmeter for this. See if there is any voltage on
the two temp gauge connections. The voltage should be pulsing with an
average of about 6~8 volts. The actual voltage is not important, as
long as it is pulsing. The average voltage will be different on the two
connections. The one that connects to the dash regulator will be a higher
voltage than the connection that is connected to the temp sender. If the
voltages are not present then you have a bad connection between the dash
regulator and the gauge. If the pulsing voltage is the same on both terminals
then there is probably an open connection between the gauge and the temp
sender.
Here is another thing to try. Ground the sender when you are checking the
voltage on the back of the gauge. In this configuration the pulsing
voltage should be on only one gauge connection, the other should show
zero volts. If this is the case, and the gauge still does not work, the
gauge is bad.
This may sound complicated, but it really isn't. Troubleshooting
electrical problems is mostly finding out what ISN'T broken first,
before youfind out what is!
Peace,
Pat
--
- Support Habitat for Humanity, A "hand up", not a "hand out" -
Pat Horne, Network Manager, Shop Supervisor, Hardware Guru
CS Dept, University of Texas, Austin, Tx. 78712 USA
voice (512)471-9517, fax (512)471-8885, UUCP:cs.utexas.edu!horne
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