Temp Gauges Problems
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Temp Gauges Problems
Ok I installed an aftermarket water temp gauge in my dash. Works fine, except it doesn't.
All connections are good. I tapped into the pink/white wire that was supposed to be the signal to the gauge for water temp. Now the aftermarket gauge hovers around 160 and the stock gauge is on the upper end of "Normal". Seems like power is being divided amongst them. I was thinking I could just tape off one end of the wire I tapped into and run the other to the gauge. I don't care about the stock gauge if this one works correctly. Would that work?
Thanks.
RP
Zach
All connections are good. I tapped into the pink/white wire that was supposed to be the signal to the gauge for water temp. Now the aftermarket gauge hovers around 160 and the stock gauge is on the upper end of "Normal". Seems like power is being divided amongst them. I was thinking I could just tape off one end of the wire I tapped into and run the other to the gauge. I don't care about the stock gauge if this one works correctly. Would that work?
Thanks.
RP
Zach
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
Well it would seem from your description of your electrical hook up, that you're attepting to run a "parallel" gauge setup from one temperature sensor & thats not likely to work accurately because it's going to throw off the circuits calibrated temp vs resistance profile, by adding that second meter movement.
Also the new meter movement might not be calibrated to operate with the resistance profile of the stock temperature sensor, so even if you disconnect the stock temp gauge, the new gauge might not register the correct temperature.
Check the resistance range vs temp, of the stock sensor & compare it's readings to that of the senor specfied for the new gauge you bought. If the two have the same resistance vs temperature profile,, your good to go & drive the new gauge with the stock temp sensor.
If not, your going to have to install/"T" in a sensor for the new gauge, in order to run them both, or replace the stock sensor with one for the new gauge, if you don't care to have the stock gauge working with the new one too!!!! WHEW!!!!!!!
Also the new meter movement might not be calibrated to operate with the resistance profile of the stock temperature sensor, so even if you disconnect the stock temp gauge, the new gauge might not register the correct temperature.
Check the resistance range vs temp, of the stock sensor & compare it's readings to that of the senor specfied for the new gauge you bought. If the two have the same resistance vs temperature profile,, your good to go & drive the new gauge with the stock temp sensor.
If not, your going to have to install/"T" in a sensor for the new gauge, in order to run them both, or replace the stock sensor with one for the new gauge, if you don't care to have the stock gauge working with the new one too!!!! WHEW!!!!!!!
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From: SW Va
OK, well then you can drive the new gauge with the stock sensor, or the OEM gauge with the stock sensor, but not both gauges at the same time, with the stock sensor!!!!
Gotta have a separate sensor for each gauge, if your gonna use both of them at the same time!!!!
Gotta have a separate sensor for each gauge, if your gonna use both of them at the same time!!!!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Ok, disconnected the wire that went to the stock gauge and hooked it up to my aftermarket gauge. Turned the ignition to start and cranked it over. It was sitting right around 190-200. Is that normal? It had been sitting an hour or so...
RP
Zach
RP
Zach
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
Well I don't know what the OAT is down there in the loan star state, but it seems to me it should have cooled off more than that in one hour, down to 130-150 range maybe. 190-200 is nearly fully warmed up temp.
Where is the stock gauge reading, how close is it to where it normally reads when fully warmed up????
Doesn't sound like the OEM temp sender & new gauge are matched, like you thought they were.
Where is the stock gauge reading, how close is it to where it normally reads when fully warmed up????
Doesn't sound like the OEM temp sender & new gauge are matched, like you thought they were.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
The stock gauge doesn't work anymore...I unplugged it.
I used to have the temp gauge hooked up in my console and it worked fine.
RP
Zach
I used to have the temp gauge hooked up in my console and it worked fine.
RP
Zach
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Most gauges that use a variable resistance to drive the scale have an adjustment pot. in them (there should be a small hole in the back of the meter). You could use a thermometer to determine the temp and adjust the meter to it.
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Post Fiend
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
I don't see a small hole in the back, but I'll have a look later.
I'm going to see how it reads on the way to school and home today. I'll let you guys know, thanks.
RP
Zach
I'm going to see how it reads on the way to school and home today. I'll let you guys know, thanks.
RP
Zach