aftermarket gauges not working

highteckredneck · #1 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 08:32 AM

well as you can see i intalled some aftermarket gauges. temp and fuel but they dont seem to be working, or at least i cant get them to work and they are brand new. anybody know how to properly wire in the fuel to the sending wire and the temp to the engine temp somehow?

Steina · #2 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 11:03 AM

Run a ground wire directly to the battery - terminal and see if that helps. On some temp gauge sending units you can't use teflon tape; what does the instruction sheet recommend?

Steve

gfw1985 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 02:40 PM

Are your sending units correct? They have to match the gauges. Fuel gauge has to match the ohms reading from the sender, same for temp. Other than that, grounds and wiring.

highteckredneck · #4 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 04:53 PM

well they are electric gauges, so no teflon tape. also when i sliced into the factory harness the gauges just pegged out. what do you mean ohms. i got the gauges from orielys auto and they said it was for a ford.

Franklin2 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highteckredneck

well they are electric gauges, so no teflon tape. also when i sliced into the factory harness the gauges just pegged out. what do you mean ohms. i got the gauges from orielys auto and they said it was for a ford.

Your answer is telling me you just spliced into the factory wiring and are trying to use the factory sending units. This will not work. Probably when they said it was for a Ford, that was the pillar mount. Didn't the gauges come with sending units and adapters to hook them up(the temp gauge)? The fuel gauge probably didn't come with the sending unit, and that will have to be bought separately and installed in the tank. When you install the sending units, do not use teflon tape(that's what the other poster was talking about).

highteckredneck · #6 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 09:12 PM

no it was the gauges. i got the pillar mount from xtremedeiselperformance.com. the instructions told me to splice into the factory harness but didnt say where. so i just wired it into the harness that goes to the gauge cluster. i know i am not an electricion, im more mechanical. i asked a guy at a shop but he wanted 500 bucks to install them. where is the sending unit and how do i check the ohms?

Steina · #7 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 09:26 PM

Don't the instructions have a phone # for tech assist? I still don't see how the gauges are going to work without the proper sending units, but if the instructions say you can use the factory units then make them prove it.

Steve

highteckredneck · #8 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 12:43 PM

well yea there was a number and it was like calling a custermer service line. theyhad no idea even how they worked.

Steina · #9 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 02:19 PM

Hmmmmmmm...........if the gauge instructions don't say how to wire them, they didn't come with sending units/adapters, and their customer service can't help then I'd say you're SOL. Is there a brand name on the gauge faces or cases? Unless your factory gas tank gauge isn't working, I'd put a voltmeter or oil pressure gauge in there; with the proper sending unit, of course.

Steve

BPofMD · #10 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 01:59 PM

Get your money back if they can't provide instructions.....what BRAND are the gauges...who made 'em? That's who you are supposed to contact, not where you bought 'em.