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05-27-2006, 04:28 PM
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#1 |
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Like a Rock!
Join Date: May 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 1,092
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Temp gauge needle
I have a spare cluster and noticed the needle on the temp gauge feels flimsy. Is that normal?. I took it apart to clean it up and I can move the needle back and forth with no resistance like the oil gauge. Just curious do these really go bad?
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69 LWB Runs great - work in progress Mess with me and you mess with the whole trailer park! 
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05-27-2006, 06:06 PM
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#2 |
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Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,597
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Re: Temp gauge needle
It's OK for the needle to move easily with no electrical current applied.
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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05-27-2006, 06:45 PM
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#3 | |
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Outlandish Trends - FL
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,396
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Re: Temp gauge needle
Quote:
 It's working on electrical current, unlike the oil gauge which works on pressure. When I took my cluster apart, I noticed the same thing. No biggie. 
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-Bret 67 short-fleet sold! |
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05-28-2006, 01:55 PM
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#4 |
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Like a Rock!
Join Date: May 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 1,092
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Re: Temp gauge needle
Thanks. The needle on my other cluster stays in the middle. This one lays to the right a little or left a little if you push it that way. Is there any way to test a temp gauge while it's out of the cluster?
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69 LWB Runs great - work in progress Mess with me and you mess with the whole trailer park!
Last edited by c10crazy; 05-28-2006 at 01:55 PM. |
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05-30-2006, 01:23 PM
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#5 |
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Outlandish Trends - FL
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,396
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Re: Temp gauge needle
Hmmm, that would be tough I'd imagine. You'd have to have power to it somehow, and then if you did that I guess you would have to hook up the sending unit to it and drop it in some hot boiling water maybe? Dunno, never tried it.
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-Bret 67 short-fleet sold! |
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05-30-2006, 02:54 PM
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#6 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tallahassee Fl
Posts: 773
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Re: Temp gauge needle
Isn't your sending unit basically a resistor? The hotter the water, the better the circuit? Try it with 6 volts or 9 volts, see what happens
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05-30-2006, 07:12 PM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Roseville, CA
Posts: 152
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Re: Temp gauge needle
just don't let the smoke out of it... It's the smoke that makes it go!..
__________________
Avatar is a pic of "Before"... Just wait.. ---------------- 1969 Fleetside: Shortened frame for SWB, ECE 4-6 drop. ECE SS tank. All new ECE suspension. Rebuilt 12 bolt 3:73 with Eaton Posi. Front and rear disc brakes. Ramjet 350 and 700r-4 trans. 20" Centerline wheels with Kumho 295/45/20 tires (I hope they fit). Progress pics: http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...uck/?start=all ---------------- Seriously... It's nothing a large dose of cash can't fix... Right? After all, I can't take it with me when I go... Just gotta have enough to get there!!! 
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05-31-2006, 05:36 PM
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#8 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,597
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Re: Temp gauge needle
Actually, the sender's resistance decreases as the temp increases. This means more voltage is dropped across the temp gauge, defecting the needle to the right. If you have a 12 volt bench power supply and some resistors from Radio Shack, you can test the gauge, but first you need to know the sender's resistance at various temps. I used to have it written down somewhere for 2 or 3 temps, but can't find it.
__________________
Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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