Water temperature gauge question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jayschevy · 07-10-2012, 10:03 PM

I recently purchased a 71 C10. The previous owner had the water temperater going to a seperate gauge instead of using the gauge in the instrument cluster. I decided that I wanted to use the one in the instrumnt cluster. After removing the cluster I found out that the cluster's circuit board was damaged and thats probably why the temp gauge did'nt work.
I have a new cluster on order but my question is how do I hook up the water temperature to my new instrument cluster. There doesn't seem to be a place in back of the cluster to screw the water temperature probe into.
Any help would be appreciated.

SS Tim · 07-10-2012, 10:40 PM

Sounds like the PO put in a mechanical temp gauge. If you truck had the factory gauges (RPO Z53 or U16) then it was built with an electrical temp. gauge and the wiring should be there. It consists of a wire running from the cluster to an engine mounted sensor that is grounded to the engine. As it changes temp. it changes resistance that the gauge reads.

Jayschevy · 07-10-2012, 10:55 PM

So the one on the cluster is electrical. Where is the sensor at on the engine for the sensor on the cluster? Also, what do I do with the mechanical sensor? I can't remove it unless I put something in its place.

oklalawnboy · 07-10-2012, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayschevy

So the one on the cluster is electrical. Where is the sensor at on the engine for the sensor on the cluster? Also, what do I do with the mechanical sensor? I can't remove it unless I put something in its place.

The electrical sending unit would go in place of the mechanical sensor. My 72 has 2 sensors one in each head. Drivers side toward the front and passenger side towards the rear but my gauge doesn't work either. I just haven't looked for what's wrong yet. Maybe tomorrow...... yeah right.

SS Tim · 07-10-2012, 11:11 PM

The PO probably pulled the electrical sender to install the mechanical line. Look around the the engine, whatever you have, and see if there is a 20ga dark green wire with a plastic connector. If you find the wire pull loose the cluster connector and resistance (ohm) check the wire. If it is good it will be very very low. Then and with a good cluster I'd worry about installing a new or known good temp sender. The factory manuals are a great help in sorting these things out. Get both the MY specific chassis and the overhaul manuals. Haynes and Chiltons are usually to generic to be helpful.

Jayschevy · 07-10-2012, 11:36 PM

Ok, I'll look tomorrow for the green wire tomorrow. Looks like I'll have to buy an electrical sender...

07-10-2012, 10:03 PM	#1
Jayschevy Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Eastern, NC Posts: 429	Water temperature gauge question I recently purchased a 71 C10. The previous owner had the water temperater going to a seperate gauge instead of using the gauge in the instrument cluster. I decided that I wanted to use the one in the instrumnt cluster. After removing the cluster I found out that the cluster's circuit board was damaged and thats probably why the temp gauge did'nt work. I have a new cluster on order but my question is how do I hook up the water temperature to my new instrument cluster. There doesn't seem to be a place in back of the cluster to screw the water temperature probe into. Any help would be appreciated.

07-10-2012, 10:40 PM	#2
SS Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edwards, CA Posts: 7,503	Re: Water temperature gauge question Sounds like the PO put in a mechanical temp gauge. If you truck had the factory gauges (RPO Z53 or U16) then it was built with an electrical temp. gauge and the wiring should be there. It consists of a wire running from the cluster to an engine mounted sensor that is grounded to the engine. As it changes temp. it changes resistance that the gauge reads. Attached Images __________________ Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID Blazer SPID Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban Last edited by SS Tim; 07-10-2012 at 10:48 PM. Reason: mising image

07-10-2012, 10:55 PM	#3
Jayschevy Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Eastern, NC Posts: 429	Re: Water temperature gauge question So the one on the cluster is electrical. Where is the sensor at on the engine for the sensor on the cluster? Also, what do I do with the mechanical sensor? I can't remove it unless I put something in its place.

07-10-2012, 11:11 PM	#5
SS Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edwards, CA Posts: 7,503	Re: Water temperature gauge question The PO probably pulled the electrical sender to install the mechanical line. Look around the the engine, whatever you have, and see if there is a 20ga dark green wire with a plastic connector. If you find the wire pull loose the cluster connector and resistance (ohm) check the wire. If it is good it will be very very low. Then and with a good cluster I'd worry about installing a new or known good temp sender. The factory manuals are a great help in sorting these things out. Get both the MY specific chassis and the overhaul manuals. Haynes and Chiltons are usually to generic to be helpful. __________________ Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID Blazer SPID Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban

07-10-2012, 11:36 PM	#6
Jayschevy Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Eastern, NC Posts: 429	Re: Water temperature gauge question Ok, I'll look tomorrow for the green wire tomorrow. Looks like I'll have to buy an electrical sender...

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