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Temperature guage problem

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Kmfisc

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Temperature guage needle normally moves slightly at startup. Needle does not move at all.
Should I replace guage? If not, how can I test unit. Thanks.
 
Take the wire off the sender and with the key on, touch the wire to a good ground, if the guage jumps, it's normally good.
 
Reads engine water temp!
It would help ALOT if we knew if it EVER worked or is this on a new-to-you boat. Some raw water cooled engines take awhile to warm up at idle.
More details please!
 
When checking the temp guage.... I'd not take the lead to negative. I'd place a test light in the path as to offer some resistance in that circuit.
As Gary said.... if the needle jumps, you'll at least know that the guage is capable of reading some resistance.
 
Reads engine water temp!

Really? And you would know that this one actually does, how? The only facts in evidence is the gauge doesn't move on start-up, and it used to ... :rolleyes:
 
Curmudgeon said:
Reads engine water temp!

Really? And you would know that this one actually does, how? The only facts in evidence is the gauge doesn't move on start-up, and it used to ... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

"Reads engine water temp!
It would help ALOT if we knew if it EVER worked or is this on a new-to-you boat."

OK.... "and it used to". A new fact. Some gauges do not move perceptively at start up.

Besides connection @ sensor, make sure that the +12 and Ground leads at the gauge are solid.

Ricardo's suggestion of using a bulb will give you a quick engine sensor vs gauge/wiring determination, safely.
 
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1st sentence: Temperature guage needle normally moves slightly at startup.

I ask again, what does it do after start-up ... :confused:
 
As the engine warms up and the temp rises, the gauge reads the temp. When first started, if its "cold", the gauge does not move... at least in the spring, winter and fall. In the summer in warm climates, the gauge may move off the pin at ignition on... if the water in the engine is warm enough, i.e. ambient temp is high enough.
At least that's what mine did 7 hours ago... 68 degrees out, gauge did not budge @ ignition on/start, but as it ran and warmed up...
 
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Yes... a good 12 vdc ground is necessary! :D ;)

Oh come on.... I'm just poking fun at you guys for calling these "grounds". :p
 

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As the engine warms up and the temp rises, the gauge reads the temp.

Uhhh, that's how it's supposed to work, we don't know how it works for the OP, thus the reason for the question (both times). If it still reaches whatever 'normal' is for this motor, then I wouldn't worry because it doesn't move at start-up. If it doesn't read 'normal' after warm-up, then further investigation is warranted ... :rolleyes:
 
Curmudgeon,

We been posting at cross purposes. The original poster who raised the question hasn't been back. I use a netbook for checking this site and can only easily see one post at a time. I "assumed" (mea culpa), that the question from you was from the original poster. None of us knows whats going on with this particular engine/meter beyond the original question :)
 
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