Temp gauge doesn't work

[lsturbo]

I had always had a problem with my oil pressure gauge. Changed pressure switch and still didn't work so I changed gauge cluster. Now my water temp gauge dosnt work on top of the oil pressure gauge. Any ideas?

[Big Dan]

I'm assuming that you have changed out the oil and temp sensors to be an actual sensor and not just a switch for the idiot lights?

[lsturbo]

The gauge cluster I had came with a oil and temp no idiot light and temp worked with old cluster.

[87MJTIM]

You can swap the individual gauges from one cluster to another.

[lsturbo]

I will try and do that with temp but what do you guys think about the oil gauge it still dosnt work.

[87MJTIM]

Did you install a "switch" or a "sending unit."  There is a difference.  A switch just turns on/off the idiot light.  The sending unit sends a signal to the gauge which translate it to read the pressure.  

 

In your first post, you said "Changed pressure switch."  Was it a switch or sending unit?

[HOrnbrod]

You can swap the individual gauges from one cluster to another.

 

With IGN on, disconnect the oil pressure sender (not switch) wire. The needle should go to high. If not, touch the wire to ground. The needle should go to low. If it does, the sender is bad. If it does not, you have an open circuit from the sender to the gauge.

[lsturbo]

I don't get anything on gauge when I disconnect our ground out. What does the the switch look like compared to sensor ? The new cluster is out of a 90 xj limited so would I need to change oil and temp sensor?

[HOrnbrod]

I don't get anything on gauge when I disconnect our ground out. What does the the switch look like compared to sensor ? The new cluster is out of a 90 xj limited so would I need to change oil and temp sensor?

 

you have an open circuit from the sender to the gauge.

[lsturbo]

I just swapped out temp gauges and I had to pull face plate and know it moves but reads below a hundred how do I fix that

[HOrnbrod]

To test the meter movement take a 1.5V AA battery and using wires briefly touch the + and - terminals of the battery to the gauge + and - posts to see if the needle deflects. Then reverse the battery leads and do it again. The meter should deflect in the opposite direction. 

[lsturbo]

Would anybody have a pic of oil sensor not switch?

[HOrnbrod]

Sender / sensor

 

Switch

[lsturbo]

Thanks so about the temp gauge I am just hoping I didn't f**k it up

[daking]

related question. 

 

does anyone know the thread of the factory gauge sensor that in the back of the head? I need to nut it. I've tried all kind a nuts, but nothing seems to fit. 

[Strokermjcomanche]

related question.

 

does anyone know the thread of the factory gauge sensor that in the back of the head? I need to nut it. I've tried all kind a nuts, but nothing seems to fit.

You need a 1/8 NPT pipe plug , or you can use an old sender if you have one lying around .

[daking]

 

related question.

 

does anyone know the thread of the factory gauge sensor that in the back of the head? I need to nut it. I've tried all kind a nuts, but nothing seems to fit.

You need a 1/8 NPT pipe plug , or you can use an old sender if you have one lying around .

 

 

Thanks for your reply, however, I'm looking at the other end :) . I'm looking to put a nut on the electrical side of the sensor. I cut the original electrical connector, and put on a ring connector. Or, I'll need to find an original type of  connector.  

[lsturbo]

So I did the AA battery test and the temp gauge worked. I tested the wire on the sender and behind the cluster and its good maybe the sender its self is bad?

[lsturbo]

The pic that hornbrod posted tells me I got a switch. I need to change that and hopefully my oil gauge will work. I tested that wire too from sender to back of cluster and it reads good.

[HOrnbrod]

If you had continuity from the sender wire to the oil pressure gauge + terminal with the ignition switch ON, the gauge needle would have moved when disconnect and grounded at the sender. So how did you test the wire and know the wire tested good?

 

Anyhow, if you are sure you have a switch, get the correct sender and try it again.

[lsturbo]

I did a beep test with my voltmeter. I will get the correct sender this weekend and let you know.

[lsturbo]

So I put a new oil sender and temp. Pluged in the gauge cluster and oil gauge is the same, temp reads 210 on start up, voltage had but not anymore, tach had but not anymore, fuel gauge is reading way past full. I am going crazy

[lsturbo]

The gauges don't reset when you turn the ignition on.

[HOrnbrod]

Check the Gauge fuse in the fuse block. Have you installed a new radio lately?

[lsturbo]

Put new oil sender still no movement our reseting of gauge when ignition is on and water temp still dosnt work. Yes I installed a new radio couple weeks ago.