temp guage pegged out
 

Hi all, I recently purchased a 83 silverado. The temp guage didn't work, so I called LMC and got the right sending unit for my truck. When I pulled the old one out, it looks like a sending unit for non-guages truck. The new correct one is different looking. I put the new one in , cranked the truck up, the guage went to full hot and has stayed there, even when cold. I will be putting in a seperate aftermarket guage so I can see what temp I have, but want to get the factory guage working. Has anyone had this happen to them????. David

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new truck: 1983 silverado c-10 2wd lwb loaded 305/700r4 1982 3/4 LWB CHEVY 350-TH400-2WD W/89 BURBAN FRONT. TOYOTA CELICA DAILY DRIVER. PROJECT:1965 BEL AIR 2-DOOR.
MEMPHIS, TN

DBLSPRT68,

Hey I have a '83 Silverardo too.

Sounds like there is a ground problem or the guage was not installed properly. Check the block sending unit. It screws into the block on the driverside block ligned up with carb somewhere below the 4 & 6 plugs. I would replace that unit first. Then check all the "silver" contacts that the guage touches in the dash panel. Check all the terminals with voltmeter. One should have power when the key is turned on. One is a ground and the other should be a ground from the block temperature sending unit.

I removed the factory guages in my truck and installed digital guages. They work and look prety cool. Vist my web page below. You'll find some pictures there.

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Gerardo
1983 Custom Truck
TX Plates: "BAD BOW"
http://www.geocities.com/abetterchemist/

Thanks Gerardo, I'll look into it once I get moved. I'm moving in less than a month. I've seen your site before. Your truck is looking good. My 82 has the burban front on it too. I didn't do any of the work on the 82, but I'm going to work on this 83. Actually, I've got a lot of work to do. My 83 was loaded with every option and a lwb. Thanks again, and I'm sure I'll have more questions. David

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new truck: 1983 silverado c-10 2wd lwb loaded 305/700r4 1982 3/4 LWB CHEVY 350-TH400-2WD W/89 BURBAN FRONT. TOYOTA CELICA DAILY DRIVER. PROJECT:1965 BEL AIR 2-DOOR.
MEMPHIS, TN

David,
I need to make one correction. The sending unit is on 3,5 plug side not the 2,4.

Mine has all the power options too. I love it. Check out the General Discussion forum. I took the beat up old 305 to the track. I think it liked it. Sure ran smooth for the 1 hour ride back to Austin.

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Gerardo
1983 Custom Truck
TX Plates: "BAD BOW"
http://www.geocities.com/abetterchemist/

If the guage was not pegged out befor you replaced the sender, and the senders don't look the same, run down to pep boys and get the right one.
I'm willing to put cash on the fact that if you took a multi meter and placed it on continuity check, touch the tip of the sending unit, and the intake, or block with the other lead, you'll get a beep. That is where the problem is.

Thanks guys for the answers. I thought that it might be a bad sending unit, but wanted to check here if it happened to anyone else. I will have more questions soon. Thanks, David

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new truck: 1983 silverado c-10 2wd lwb loaded 305/700r4 1982 3/4 LWB CHEVY 350-TH400-2WD W/89 BURBAN FRONT. TOYOTA CELICA DAILY DRIVER. PROJECT:1965 BEL AIR 2-DOOR.
MEMPHIS, TN