temp and fuel gauge

[DaveMueller]

The easiest way to verify that the wires to the gauges are correct is to pull the wire off of the temperature sensor on the engine. The temp gauge should stay on zero, since the sensor completes the path to ground. No ground, no needle movement.

I have the same problem, so I put in an aftermarket gauge using a CTO port. The aftermarket gauge verifies the temp is good all the time.

My theory is that there is an air bubble surrounding the sensor in the engine that allows it to get hotter than the coolant temperature. If I take off the radiator cap and squeeze the upper hose, I can get the air bubble out and the gauge seems to work well until another bubble forms (my block is cracked).

One of these days I'm going to move the OEM sensor to the CTO port on the side of the engine (assuming it's the same thread size) and see what happens.

My fuel gauge spends most of it's time on zero, but occasionally will come off the peg a small amount. I just write down the mileage when I fill up the tank :-)

Dave

 

[SteveJr]

I had the same issue, the original ground was through the dash panel and over the years they will lose continuity, try running a separate ground wire to a clean spot somewhere on the chassis..