Engine Temp Gauge Not Working

[BigP5792]

Well, my Engine temp gauge needle hasn't moved for a few months so I finally got around to changing the thermostat and it still doesn't work. Could this be my Temp sending unit? I really have no idea whats going on so some help would be appreciated.

[Nytemare]

Sending unit. Almost for sure.

If not its the gauge its self thats toast.

 

 

The T-stat has nothing to do with weather the gauge works or not...for future reference. If the gauge is reading "0" or Topped out when the engine first starts up...chances are that the gauge or sending unit is busted.

[BigP5792]

Sending unit. Almost for sure.

If not its the gauge its self thats toast.

 

 

The T-stat has nothing to do with weather the gauge works or not...for future reference. If the gauge is reading "0" or Topped out when the engine first starts up...chances are that the gauge or sending unit is busted.

 

Ya, I'm not good with engines, thats why I'm on here haha. Since the gauge doesn't move at all when I start it does that mean its shot? Or is there a way I can check which one is dead?

[Nytemare]

The sending unit is cheap...may as well replace it....

There is a way to check the gauge....but you have to know the voltage range of the sending unit, it involves hooking up a rotary dimmer switch to a 9V battery and varying the resistance so that the gauge sees different voltages...its that voltage that tells the needle to move to the corresponding temp measurement.

 

The trick is....not to show the gauge too much voltage and cook it.

 

 

Worst case scenario...you buy a new sending unit and its the gauge...than you get a new (or good used)gauge and you already have a new sender to go with it.

[BigP5792]

The sending unit is cheap...may as well replace it....

There is a way to check the gauge....but you have to know the voltage range of the sending unit, it involves hooking up a rotary dimmer switch to a 9V battery and varying the resistance so that the gauge sees different voltages...its that voltage that tells the needle to move to the corresponding temp measurement.

 

The trick is....not to show the gauge too much voltage and cook it.

 

 

Worst case scenario...you buy a new sending unit and its the gauge...than you get a new (or good used)gauge and you already have a new sender to go with it.

 

Alright thanks. What do gauges run now days?

[Nytemare]

for that truck...I don't thing you can just buy one gauge....

You need the whole cluster....or replace the stepper motor at the back...I could be wrong about that one though.