Author Topic: Temp gauge  (Read 1611 times)

Offline jsc

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 25
  • Newbie
Temp gauge
« on: May 17, 2019, 10:32:48 AM »
I have an '83 C10 with a new temp gauge, new printed circuit, and supposedly new wiring.  However, it has pegged out, and stays there, even after the engine and truck has cooled down.  Even when I start it again it doesn't move from that position.  The truck is not running hot.  Is this a ground issue?  Or what? 

Thanks

John

Offline bd

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6450
Re: Temp gauge
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2019, 10:38:16 AM »
Recheck the wiring.  Either the gauge is connected incorrectly or the sender lead is grounded.
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline Captain Swampy

  • Junior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 504
  • Wisconsin
Re: Temp gauge
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2019, 08:31:38 AM »
Could be a sender for a light instead of for a gauge.
1987  350TBI 700R4  4X4  4.56 gears  33" BFG All Terrain


http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=32209.0

Offline jsc

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 25
  • Newbie
Re: Temp gauge
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2019, 05:41:06 PM »
Not sure what you mean by an incorrect sender.  BUT today I ran the truck, and the gauge had dropped to the cooler side.  I had fiddled with the wire under the hood.  Maybe that was it? 

Offline JohnnyPopper

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2548
  • Old Goof
Re: Temp gauge
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2019, 06:20:31 PM »
It was probably shorted to ground- that's supposed to make it peg hot.

Good way to test a temp gauge if you need to. 
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline bd

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6450
Re: Temp gauge
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2019, 06:52:55 PM »
Was the sender wire laying against the exhaust manifold and melted?  Inspect the full length of the wire between the firewall bulkhead connector and the sender for chaffing around sharp corners or brittleness and heat damage.
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)