Have you got the gauge installed in the cluster? there's a ground connection (a solder blob) between the two terminal posts on the back of the gauge which makes contact with the housing. You need a good ground connection there to make the gauge work.

1950 Chevrolet 3100 (occasionally working) truck:https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5490/30684982201_6dc479d18d_c.jpg
1928 Chevrolet AB National Phaeton: https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5573/30137792083_42886d30a4_c.jpg
1932 Austin Special Sports: https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5793/30116567183_1520e67c4d_z.jpg