Temperature Gauge

[derrick79]

I just installed a new intake, carb, valve covers, and steering column all at the same time. I hooked up all my wiring and turned the key but didn't start the truck and my temp gauge shot all the way to H and won't come back down. All the wiring for the gauge seems good and I never pinched any putting my column into place. I haven't started the truck to see if it moves because I am currently waiting for my new fuel pump. Any ideas? Its so weird..

[beastie_3]

Stock gauges?

[1979C20]

Id guess either a ground problem or temp sensor. Where is your temp sensor? Is it in the side of the block or is it in the intake?

[derrick79]

Yes it is stock gauges. I would say its in the side of the block because I never pulled a sensor out changing my intake.

[1979C20]

I'm assuming its an electric sensor. I would say its either coincidence or a wire is unplugged. Look at the side of your driver side head between cylinders 1 and 3 for something about 1" in diameter threaded into the block and see if theres a wire coming off of it. Make sure the wire is connected to it and make sure the wire isnt damaged, shorting, burnt, etc. Your sensor could have gone out coincidentally when you did everything, but since it pegs of high instead of not moving, I'm guessing a ground? Theres a ground for the instrument cluster that could have come unhooked or not hooked back up, and I would guess it would peg high like a gas gauge would when the ground is missing.

[beastie_3]

Perhaps the gauge itself isnt pushed in all the way and not making contact, but unlikely. I would take the panel off again and inspect the gauge, printed circuit, harness, and grounds. There is a group of grounds that hook up to the top portion of the E brake bracket.

[jaredts]

Your sender should be in the driver's side head.  I think the gage pegs if the wire touches ground.  Find the sender and make sure the wire is hooked up.  You might have just knocked it off when you were doing the intake.

[derrick79]

Before I touched anything, I had the batteries disconnected while I did some other stuff on the truck for the night. Hooked them back up and now my gauge is working fine. I never touched anything except for a tug test on a couple wires. I hate things that "seem" to fix themself.