47-55.1 Temperature Gauge not working

[dsraven]

the sender really needs to match the gauge as sensors are not all the same in how they manage the amount of ground provided at a specific temp. the gauge is simply a needle balanced between 2 electrically operated magnets. one magnet has a constant amount of magnetism on one side of the needle and the one on the other side of the needle has a variable amount of magetism which is dependent on the amount of ground given by the sender. with he sender wire disconnected the constant magnet will draw the gauge needle all the way to that side becaue there is no magnetic draw on the variable magnet. if the sender wire is grounded then the variable magnet will have it's magnetism maxed out so it will draw the needle all the way that direction. it makes sense, then, that the sender needs to match the gauge or else the reading on the gauge will not be correct. with the incorrect sender the needle may move through a range but may not match the actual temp of the engine.