Something odd going on - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Piece of Work · 09-13-2007, 09:40 PM

Something odd happened today on my way home from work. I've been driving this truck every day since March of this year, about 7,000 miles. Never has the temperature gauge worked or moved. I don't believe there is a sending unit. The needle would swing all the way to the right, then all the way to the left, where it has always read. It did this several times, only under acceleration. I think it has to be a short of some kind, any ideas?

-Mark

Longhorn Man · 09-13-2007, 09:48 PM

Look on the drivers side of the engine. Look for a green wire that may or may not be hooked to the sending unit on the head between the first and second exhaust port. The wire is probably sitting on the exhaust and melted. When the wire gets grounded, it'll max the temp guage out.
On the good side, you now know the guage it's self is good, and some of the wire is good!

Piece of Work · 09-13-2007, 10:23 PM

Longhorn Man,
It's funny that you mention I "now know the gauge it's self is good". Just last night I was looking on-line for a temp gauge I could install in the dash. Maybe just a sending unit and a little more "good" wire. Thanks for the info on where to look for the problem.

-Mark

68K20 x Drill · 09-14-2007, 12:35 AM

Sometimes if the engine has been replaced, there is a light sender where there should be a gauge sender, and you get a gauge that rises to about 1/4, then sits rock steady.

72armyswbtruck · 09-14-2007, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68K20 x Drill

Sometimes if the engine has been replaced, there is a light sender where there should be a gauge sender, and you get a gauge that rises to about 1/4, then sits rock steady.

Didn't know that!

Bucky71 · 09-14-2007, 10:32 AM

The wire on mine falls off the sensor really easily. Luckily it hasn't been melted yet.

Longhorn Man · 09-14-2007, 03:13 PM

The electrical connectors are different between lights and guages... I can see it happening still (say in an engine swap and just *making it work* kinda situation) but I wouldn't think it would be too common myself.
Bucky, try very lighly crimping the connector on your wire, Ever so slightly. If/when you go too far, use a small flat head screw driver to open it back up, then try again, easier this time.

Bucky71 · 09-14-2007, 03:44 PM

I'll try that. Thanks.

09-13-2007, 09:40 PM	#1
Piece of Work Cultural Infidel Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 668	Something odd going on Something odd happened today on my way home from work. I've been driving this truck every day since March of this year, about 7,000 miles. Never has the temperature gauge worked or moved. I don't believe there is a sending unit. The needle would swing all the way to the right, then all the way to the left, where it has always read. It did this several times, only under acceleration. I think it has to be a short of some kind, any ideas? -Mark __________________ posted via La-Z-Boy -Mark 1972 C-10 Fleetside 350/TH350 PS PB A/C Cab Sadly....Sold 1968 Short Fleet 350/TH400 PS PB Delivered by Fine69 Also sadly Sold! It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. A man is not complete until he is married -- then he is finished.

09-13-2007, 09:48 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Something odd going on Look on the drivers side of the engine. Look for a green wire that may or may not be hooked to the sending unit on the head between the first and second exhaust port. The wire is probably sitting on the exhaust and melted. When the wire gets grounded, it'll max the temp guage out. On the good side, you now know the guage it's self is good, and some of the wire is good!

09-13-2007, 10:23 PM	#3
Piece of Work Cultural Infidel Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 668	Re: Something odd going on Longhorn Man, It's funny that you mention I "now know the gauge it's self is good". Just last night I was looking on-line for a temp gauge I could install in the dash. Maybe just a sending unit and a little more "good" wire. Thanks for the info on where to look for the problem. -Mark __________________ posted via La-Z-Boy -Mark 1972 C-10 Fleetside 350/TH350 PS PB A/C Cab Sadly....Sold 1968 Short Fleet 350/TH400 PS PB Delivered by Fine69 Also sadly Sold! It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. A man is not complete until he is married -- then he is finished.

09-14-2007, 12:35 AM	#4
68K20 x Drill Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Freedom CA Posts: 488	Re: Something odd going on Sometimes if the engine has been replaced, there is a light sender where there should be a gauge sender, and you get a gauge that rises to about 1/4, then sits rock steady. __________________ 68 Chevrolet k20 Longbed 350 SM465/205, Dana 44, 14bolt, Power steering, Power Disk Brakes, 35" BFGs. 84 Chevrolet Suburban K20 6.2 Banks turbo TH400/NP208 Now with G80 68 GMC C20 Parts? Truck And a few cars

09-14-2007, 10:32 AM	#6
Bucky71 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto, On Posts: 65	Re: Something odd going on The wire on mine falls off the sensor really easily. Luckily it hasn't been melted yet.

09-14-2007, 03:13 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Something odd going on The electrical connectors are different between lights and guages... I can see it happening still (say in an engine swap and just making it work kinda situation) but I wouldn't think it would be too common myself. Bucky, try very lighly crimping the connector on your wire, Ever so slightly. If/when you go too far, use a small flat head screw driver to open it back up, then try again, easier this time.

09-14-2007, 03:44 PM	#8
Bucky71 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto, On Posts: 65	Re: Something odd going on I'll try that. Thanks.

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