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Dead temp gauge

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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 02:09 PM
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Dead temp gauge

1990 f250 diesel custom
Noticed recently that my temp gage never gets into the normal range. it moves around a little below that.

Checked the coolant since the only real reason the temp gage should read cold when the truck is hot is if the sensor isn't submerged, but coolant is full right up to the rad cap. Heat also works great, and have noticed nothing unusual in the way it drives or any odd smells.

I'm thinking the wire got crimped. I noticed the gage malfunction right after installing an aftermarket stereo. Is that a possibility? How can I get to the back side of the gage to check if the wire is still connected? that is the only gage that isn't working so I don't think it's a fuse or anything.

Thoughts?
 
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Old Nov 4, 2013 | 03:18 PM
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Anyone? Would really like to get this fixed..
 
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Old Nov 4, 2013 | 03:27 PM
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Did you remove the wire from the sending unit, ground it out see if the needle pegged full hot?

If it doesn't yea something wrong with the gauge itself or the circuit, if it does peg the needle I'd replace the sending unit.
 
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Old Nov 4, 2013 | 03:31 PM
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Deleted cause I didn't read the full post lol.
 
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Old Nov 4, 2013 | 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by danr1
Did you remove the wire from the sending unit, ground it out see if the needle pegged full hot?

If it doesn't yea something wrong with the gauge itself or the circuit, if it does peg the needle I'd replace the sending unit.
Where is the sending unit?
 
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Old Nov 4, 2013 | 09:32 PM
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From: Carthage, MO
 
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Old Nov 5, 2013 | 06:54 AM
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Thanks, looks like it may actually be accessible. Now I just need time to look at that, and fix my fuel filter/heater leak.
 
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Old Nov 5, 2013 | 07:58 AM
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I had this issue in a 90 F150 with the 302 I found the wire was loose and I plugged it back up and it ran fine for a few more years without issue.
 
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Old Nov 5, 2013 | 08:16 AM
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that's actually what I'm suspecting since it stopped working immediately after I installed an aftermarket stereo. How do I access the backside of the gage panel?
 
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