temp and fuel guage question
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temp and fuel guage question
I just bought a 1990 ranger with the little 4 banger 5 speed, and the temp and fuel guage is not working. There located right next each other in the dash, and the two guages above them are working. I found no fuses that it would be. I was just wondering if those 2 not working would be in a wiring harness or if they are not connected in anyway. I might have 2 seperate problems. Any help would be appreciated.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
Welcome to FTE.
You could try grounding the temp gauge wire at the sending unit on the engine, through a 3K ohm 1/2 watt resistor & see if it'll read up scale. if so the gauge is ok, so test the sending unit resistance.
Cold it should read high resistance, maybe around 40K ohms & when the engine is at operating temperature, it should read lower, about 3k ohms.
If both those things check out, suspect a stuck open themostat, such that the engine is over cooling & not warming up.
On the fuel gauge, if you disconnect the wiring harness to the fuel pump & float, then turn the ignition on, the gauge if working, should deflect past the full mark. If not, you likely have a gauge problem.
Individual gauges can be replaced. Salvage yards are a place to look.
Let us know how it goes.
You could try grounding the temp gauge wire at the sending unit on the engine, through a 3K ohm 1/2 watt resistor & see if it'll read up scale. if so the gauge is ok, so test the sending unit resistance.
Cold it should read high resistance, maybe around 40K ohms & when the engine is at operating temperature, it should read lower, about 3k ohms.
If both those things check out, suspect a stuck open themostat, such that the engine is over cooling & not warming up.
On the fuel gauge, if you disconnect the wiring harness to the fuel pump & float, then turn the ignition on, the gauge if working, should deflect past the full mark. If not, you likely have a gauge problem.
Individual gauges can be replaced. Salvage yards are a place to look.
Let us know how it goes.
