CaddyMan

Hello to all. This is my first post on TGO. Anyways here is my deal. I am trying to install a water temp gauge.( Electric) I have done the install but the gauge will not read. I have triple checked all of the wires. I read in the manual that it should automatically ground inself by use if the temp sending unit. My question is, will an aluminum intake not make a good grounding point. I have a GMPP tbi inkae and I have the sensor mounted in the front, right above the waterpump. Has anyone else had this issue or any luck with installing these gauges. I bought a new gauge thinking my old one was shot. for the help.

CaddyMan

I was searching through some old posts and came across something that said using to much teflon tape may effect the actual grounding of the gauge. I am gonna take the fittings out and use less tape this time.

CaddyMan

I used less teflon tape and made sure ALL contacts were good. Still, my gauge will not read. It moves when I start the car but remains below 100 degrees. Does anyone have any ideas? How would I ground the gauge sending unit if it comes to that?

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Dont take anything I suggest as an insult to your intelligence or anything...Just throwing some ideas around.

Are you SURE you have a good clean 12v power source thats live with ignition on? Every gauge in my car is an autometer, and they can be picky about their power source and their grounds. You cant always just splice into another ground wire, they like their own grounds.

The sender should ground itself to the alum. intake just fine. The teflon tape shouldnt effect it. There should be enough contact for it to work. I was having issues with the temp sender in my Jeep...and I ended up using copper RTV instead of tape. Its supposed to aid in making contact while sealing.

If you positively know youre power source is good, your ground is good, the wire for the sender is good...then Ide say there is an issue with the unit itself.

J.

CaddyMan

I spliced into another 12v source under my dash(radio). I am positive that my grounds and ignition wires are good because I have the air-fuel meter running off of the same source. I never thought that would be an issue as far as power was concerned. Do you think I should try and set the temp gauge on its own power supply. Could I take a wire and run it straight to the battery, just to see if that was the issue?

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Yes... I recommend running the gauge off a separate power supply, if nothing else just to see if that fixes it. It sounds really dumb, but I had some of my gauge power wires twisted together, then to one source. Did the same with my grounds. Some of the gauges didnt like taht.

So now I have a thick power wire going to a small fuse block with 6 fuses. Each gauge has its own power wire that runs to this fuse block. Then my grounds are all soldered together to a thick common wire, and grounded to the dash shell. I havent had any issues since doing that.

Its worth a shot. Also check that the wire for the sender isnt broken. If you have a multimeter check the continuity of the wire.

J.

CaddyMan

I am gonna try all of the above and let you know. Thanks man

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

No problem. Like I said...it sounds silly. But a few of my autometers were picky S.O.B.'s... I ignored the power source thing for awhile. Kept saying no way it could be that. haha.

If it still isnt functioning, ide try to get an exchange or something.

J.

Johnx

Mines has a seperate ground and if it's slightly loose but still making contact with the frame wont work.

CaddyMan

I finally got this gauge to work. I ran it off of a seperate circuit and bamm!! Thanks for the help. I dont think I would have tried that if I hadnt checked here. It works like a charm now.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Good man! Glad to hear it worked. Like I said...those gauges are finicky. Its weird...but its the way they are.

J.