Is it the sending unit or the gauge?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fastlane · 08-02-2014, 02:15 PM

Water temp sending unit doesn't work, or the gauge doesn't work. the gauge doesn't move at all, stuck in the same position since I put it in (swapped to gauges from lights) don't know if the sender works either. My research tells me I should ground out the wire from sending unit and the gauge will peg out, or see how many ohms the sender has with my absent ohmmeter!! Am I right? or is there an easier way? do you have to take the sender out to test it or can you do it in the truck?

steveo3318 · 08-02-2014, 02:45 PM

Find a buddy to watch the gauge, Turn the key on. Take the wire off the sending unit and touch it to a good known non-painted ground. Gauge should peg out if its functional. If it works how much tape sealant in on the sending unit?

franken · 08-02-2014, 07:09 PM

The sender and I think the wiring are different between lights and gauges. The engine harness and/or the dash harness may be different.

You might want to do some research and see if the harnesses are different.

fastlane · 08-02-2014, 09:12 PM

It was the sending unit, grounding the gauge pegged out the needle! All wiring is new from aaw and wired for gauges not lights. Note to self, draining the fluid out of the radiator is not going to stop the gushing of antifreeze all over the garage floor when you remove the sending unit!! I'm glad oil changes are not that way!! Also, steveo3318, no tape sealant.

**TBONE1964** · 08-02-2014, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastlane

It was the sending unit, grounding the gauge pegged out the needle! All wiring is new from aaw and wired for gauges not lights. Note to self, draining the fluid out of the radiator is not going to stop the gushing of antifreeze all over the garage floor when you remove the sending unit!! I'm glad oil changes are not that way!! Also, steveo3318, no tape sealant.

So you are OK with this now?

Another tip I can offer is if the gauge is wired correct and has a good ground, you will be able to see it move just a fraction of an inch as soon as you turn the ignition to the run position when the engine is stone cold. This is a good test to see if the gauge has power. If the gauge does not move even a little when you key up, there is no power to the gauge.

fastlane · 08-03-2014, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBONE1964

So you are OK with this now?

Another tip I can offer is if the gauge is wired correct and has a good ground, you will be able to see it move just a fraction of an inch as soon as you turn the ignition to the run position when the engine is stone cold. This is a good test to see if the gauge has power. If the gauge does not move even a little when you key up, there is no power to the gauge.

yup.. the gauge didn't even flinch when hooked up to the sender, all my grounds are good! I made sure of that when wiring. now the problem is finding a sending unit with a peg rather than a flat thingy?!!

like this:

steveo3318 · 08-02-2014, 10:59 PM

To much sealant can't have the same effect asto much tape!!!

08-02-2014, 02:15 PM	#1
fastlane Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Green Bay Wisconsin Posts: 126	Is it the sending unit or the gauge?? Water temp sending unit doesn't work, or the gauge doesn't work. the gauge doesn't move at all, stuck in the same position since I put it in (swapped to gauges from lights) don't know if the sender works either. My research tells me I should ground out the wire from sending unit and the gauge will peg out, or see how many ohms the sender has with my absent ohmmeter!! Am I right? or is there an easier way? do you have to take the sender out to test it or can you do it in the truck? __________________ 1969 Chevy C/10 Stepside, Short Box. LQ4/4L80E swap in progress! (Donations being accepted!)

08-02-2014, 02:45 PM	#2
steveo3318 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Sumrall, MS Posts: 381	Re: Is it the sending unit or the gauge?? Find a buddy to watch the gauge, Turn the key on. Take the wire off the sending unit and touch it to a good known non-painted ground. Gauge should peg out if its functional. If it works how much tape sealant in on the sending unit?

08-02-2014, 07:09 PM	#3
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,068	Re: Is it the sending unit or the gauge?? The sender and I think the wiring are different between lights and gauges. The engine harness and/or the dash harness may be different. You might want to do some research and see if the harnesses are different.

08-02-2014, 09:12 PM	#4
fastlane Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Green Bay Wisconsin Posts: 126	Re: Is it the sending unit or the gauge?? It was the sending unit, grounding the gauge pegged out the needle! All wiring is new from aaw and wired for gauges not lights. Note to self, draining the fluid out of the radiator is not going to stop the gushing of antifreeze all over the garage floor when you remove the sending unit!! I'm glad oil changes are not that way!! Also, steveo3318, no tape sealant. __________________ 1969 Chevy C/10 Stepside, Short Box. LQ4/4L80E swap in progress! (Donations being accepted!)

08-02-2014, 10:59 PM	#7
steveo3318 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Sumrall, MS Posts: 381	Re: Is it the sending unit or the gauge?? To much sealant can't have the same effect asto much tape!!!



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