The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay need help with gauges

I have two questions regarding the gauges in my truck.

I have a 55 2nd series and the gas gauge and the temp gauge do not work.

When I pulled the cluster, the temp gauge (which was actually missing) had a real hard thick line (not a 16 or 18 ga wire), but a solid wire from the sender unit, and it was not connected. I replaced the temp gauge and connected the gauage based on a wiring diagram that I had found on the internet. It immediately went to HOT when I attached the wires according to the diagram. (I had to wrap a pc of 18 ga wire to the solid pc and taped it together the best I could) The other lead went to the key switch. I reversed the connection to see if it made any difference and it did not work in that position at all. I have not tried it again. So... why is there such a big solid wire?
Should I just replace the wire and the temp sending unit?

On the gas gauge, the tank was rusted out so I replace the tank, which came with a built in fuel pump and sender unit as one unit. I cannot get the gauge to work and I have rewired everything the best that I know how and according to the diagram stated above.

What is the best way to check the gauges to see if they work properly?

Thanks for all the information.

Jeff

sounds like yer tryin to hook electricity to a mechanical gauge sender!! the 'hard thick line' if you look at the ends is it solidly crimped right into the threaded sender part and same into the gauge? [like not a clip-on or screw-on electrical connection]? called a capillary tube, and those gauges do go bad, and don't respond to shock treatments!

many/most of the 55's still had mechanical temp gauges, so if you've got onea those, the whole thing needs to be replaced as a unit [gauge/sender] - an elec gauge has wire connectors on the gauge and a separate sender that you can get at NAPCO

the gas gauge will need the proper sender resistance to work the gauge, but if you've got the hot side of the gauge hooked up, grounding and un-grounding the other side should make it read empty/full so you know if it works

yer mileage may vary! others might have other suggestions

Bill

thank you very much. I have replaced the gauge and has two leads, so I will change the sender.

How do I know the proper sender resistance on the gas gauge?

thanks again!!

Jeff

temp sender, all 55-78 6 cyl - NAPA# TS 6469
for the V8, might be the same or there'll be something w/ a similar year range

Bill