temp gauge not working????

[ante_up13]

I replaced the thermostat, temp sending unit and new engine harness all at the same time. Once I installed it, the temp gauge doesn't work. It moves a little when I start the truck up, but thats it? Any suggestions in fixing this?

[Longhorn Man]

what temp t-stat did you install?

[ante_up13]

I don't really know...I ordered it from LMC truck like 6 months ago.

[Longhorn Man]

if it is a 160 degree or maybe even a 180, it'll hardly move the guage.

[pjmoreland]

A quick test you can do to see if the gauge and wiring are working is to turn you key in the "on" position, disconnect the green wire from the temperature sender, and short it against the housing of the temperature sender. The gauge needle should go way up to the H position. If it does, then chances are that your gauge and wiring are fine.

[ante_up13]

I found my reciept and it is a 180. The gauge actually moves left when the ignition is started up. Before ignition, its starts out left of the gauge readings and then goes a tiny bit further. I am gonna try shorting it out now.

[ante_up13]

I just tried the short thing and it went up to the H just like you said. Where do I go from there?

[Longhorn Man]

did you put thread tape on the temp sensor? You aren't supposed to, it may be hindering the ground.
With a 180, it should move up a little...less than 1/8 the way up the guage or so.

[neonlarry]

You might also have a sensor that is not made to work with your gauge i.e. wrong resistance range.

[ante_up13]

Ok...I am an idiot. I put thread tape on it. The previous one had some on it so I figured thats what it called for. I am gonna pull off the tape and try again.

[ante_up13]

I pulled out the temp sender that screws into the top of the thermostat housing. I was just wondering...Is the temp sender supposed to touch the thermostat?? How far does it need to be screwed in???

[ante_up13]

I reinstalled the temp sender without the tape on it and it is still not working. Any ideas?

[pjmoreland]

Does your sender look like this?

[pjmoreland]

I've got a 180 degree thermostat in my truck. When my engine is warm, the needle is just BARELY above the L zone and into the big middle zone.

The sender should not touch the thermostat. If it did, it might bend the thermostat, rendering the thermostat inoperable.

How long are you letting your truck run before shutting it off? My truck takes probably about 3 minutes of driving before the thermostat opens.

[jamal]

I was wondering the same thing as mine is a 160 thermostat and does not move

[ante_up13]

Nope. The old one did though! F***!!!! Where do I pick one of those up?
I figured it wouldn't matter all that much being slightly different.
I think all the malt and hops are frying my brain.

[pjmoreland]

You can buy one a Kragen or any other auto parts store. Just be sure to specify it is for gauges not warning lights.

[ante_up13]

thanks again...I will call around tommorrow to see what I can get. I just looked through LMC's catalog and found that they sell two styles for my year. I didn't look it up in the catalog when I ordered it, I just asked for one in my year, engine size and what not. I guess I will have to be more specific next time. I hope it will work and have a good feeling it will. Take it easy.

Dylan

[A.P.]

I have a 195 degree thermostat and the needle moves 1/4 when the engine is warm.

[Longhorn Man]

That is one reason LMC sucks.
You are lucky you got something that resembles what you ordered.

[Gray Ghost]

If you got the right sensor (for guages versus lites) and it still doesn't work, it's the guage. I went through this twice so far and both times a mechanical temp guage from O'Reilly's saved the day. I hate electrical guages.