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| | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 119 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 119 | Hello All -
Just hooked up my temperature sender to my idiot light on dash. When I start the truck, nothing happens. But then as time passes...seconds, not minutes...the light glows brighter and brighter. Does my thermostat need replacing? Your thoughts?
Thanks much!!!
Thom Masterson
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Can't heat up in seconds. bad sensor, wiring, idiot light or sensor not grounded. If you use too much thread sealer you will not get ground. You can hook up a ohm meter and put sensor in hot water heated gradually. 200+ ohm change from cool to hot. Does your truck show any signs of being hot? Don't think the water is getting hot (165-180) that fast. Also if you just got a new sender, you may have been given one for a gauge not a light.
Last edited by bartamos; 09/22/2011 11:48 PM.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 426 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 426 | The light should be green when started up, indicating cold temp. Will turn red if overheats. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | You probably have the wromg sender unit. You need one for a light. If you have the green light also like Jon mentioned it takes a sender with 2 terms.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 119 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 119 | I think you guys are right. I probably have a sender for a gauge...not a light. The bulb slowly grows brighter eventhough the water is not that hot and stays on. I did not know there were two different types of units. I think I bought that sender from LMC. Anyone know where to get one for idiot lights?
Thom Masterson
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | Any parts store can get it for you. Their catalog breaks it down into with gauge & with light.
It might have 2 terms. Likesomeone said some use a green lite when cold. If you have one like that & the red light comes on with the engine cold use the other term.
Last edited by Wrenchbender Ret.; 09/24/2011 11:05 PM.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Don't be an "Idiot", Get a gauge.
Last edited by bartamos; 09/24/2011 9:11 PM.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 119 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 119 | Finally had time to do something this weekend. Got the correct sender in and the lights work great. Thanks for the information!
Thom Masterson
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 27 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 27 | I have a virtually original '62 Stepside, 235 with 3 on the tree, that I found in central Oregon with only 70k miles on it. We have gone through it from end to end and have repaired, overhauled or replaced everything necessary to make it safely operational. I have only one problem. This truck came with the "idiot light" dashboard; everthing works except the temperature gauge. The reason it doesn't work is the sending unit...my cylinder head is drilled and tapped for a 9/16" sending unit with an "L" shaped, two pronged plug...the wiring loom is original and has the correct plug on it. The only sending unit I have been able to find is a 3/4" threaded unit with the correct prong arrangement. Any ideas out there?
'62 Chevy C10 Short Bed Step Side, 235 Six with Offy intake, 2 carter/weber 2bbls and Fenton headers. B-W T5 5 speed trans, with stock rear end.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 426 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 426 | Could probably go to the hardware store and fix it with some brass fittings. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 45 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 45 | My experience is that you have the correct sender. I wonder if the head/engine was exchanged at some point for one that has the hole for the gauge sender, whcih is smaller? I know they sell reducing bushings so you can fit a guage sender in a light hole. There isn't one in there now? Aside fron that, I would think you have ot change the head, or drill a bigger hole (scary). Or a bunch of pipe fittings which would locate the sender up in the air somewhere. may look funny, but should work. | | |
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