Re: temp and fuel gauge problem
[Re: BTTG]
#1625738
05/28/14 12:04 PM
05/28/14 12:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,713
Andrewh
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,713
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test 1. key on, engine off. test light grounded and touching the wire going to the temp sending unit. blinks if working. if solid on or no blink, the vr is dead.
vom will read average of 5 volts, or 0 to 12 volts switching. depending on your vom.
test 2. only needed if the test above passed for a good vr. engine off, key off, wire the temp sending wire to ground somewhere. doesn't matter to what as long as it is grounded. turn the key on, engine off. gauge should move to full. when it gets about half way shut off the key.
if the light stays on, do not try grounding the sending unit wire. if you didn't fry the gauge, you will.
the vr works by turning 12 volts on and off to average 5 volts. constant light means it is supplying a full 12 volts. blinking means it is giving 5v.
typically they break by giving no light and no power. but a few get stuck full on.
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Re: temp and fuel gauge problem
[Re: Andrewh]
#1625739
05/29/14 09:05 AM
05/29/14 09:05 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 582 PA
BTTG
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 582
PA
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So a test light at the water temp sender wire end in the engine bay does not illuminate or blink with keyed power. So is the VR in the cluster bad for certain? Since this circuit is broke I can't test the temp gauge except by going directly to the 2 posts on the back of it and powering it with a few alkaline batteries in series as I read about correct?
My car is a 69 Coronet R/T w/ non-rallye dash and of course in this case to make things tougher it has A/C.
Can the VR be changed under dash and can I get to the posts on the fuel and temp gauge from underneath? At this point the gauges could still be good and the VR may be able to be changed in place... So I'd like to try that first if possible. Any tricks to doing this in place? I guess also confirming the gauges work is a priority as if they don't then the cluster needs to come out anyway and the VR would be changed then. The thought of puling the cluster makes me sick so I want to make sure I only do it if necessary and avoid it if at all possible...
Thanks in advance
Last edited by BTTG; 05/29/14 09:07 AM.
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Re: temp and fuel gauge problem
[Re: BTTG]
#1625741
05/29/14 02:15 PM
05/29/14 02:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 936 own private Idaho
ngpSatellite
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 936
own private Idaho
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Quote:
I have a 69 Coronet R/T with a non rallye dash. All gauges/dummy lights were previously working. ran the car for the first time in about 6 months yesterday. all worked well (fuel gauge was reading about 3/4 full and temp gauge increased from C to middle of range over the first 5-10 minutes as normal). then out of the corner of my eye I saw the temp gauge peg out on Hot rapidly and then several seconds later went all the way back below Cold. quickly afterwards the fuel gauge went above full and stayed there until shut off. following morning started car up and neither the temp gauge nor the fuel gauge moved.
I don't want to mess anything up, but need help proceeding.
What order should i do things? really don't want to pull the cluster... from reading I would guess it is the voltage regulator on the cluster? Isn't there a way to ground the terminal at the temp sender wire end to see if the regulator is good or bad?
any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
here's your fix for 8 BUCKS!!! and it will run solid state technology for 8 dollars! http://www.allpar.com/history/mopar/electrical2.html
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Re: temp and fuel gauge problem
[Re: BTTG]
#1625745
05/29/14 03:53 PM
05/29/14 03:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,448 So Cal
Sinitro
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,448
So Cal
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Quote:
What's the easiest way to get to the instrument voltage regulator on this dash? under the dash, through the radio hole, etc...?
Disconnect the battery.. Next, pull the radio, (4) phillips screws and rear bracket. Disconnect power lead and antenna, radio comes out the front. Now EZ to reach in and pull the VR, as well as access to the back of the circuit board...
Just my $0.05...
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Re: temp and fuel gauge problem
[Re: BTTG]
#1625749
05/29/14 10:14 PM
05/29/14 10:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 199 NC
1970A66
member
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member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 199
NC
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Your Rt-Eng limiter is bad according to their website............ Says it should blink: http://rt-eng.com/rte/index.php/RTE_limiterI have been installing his limiters and tach boards, I have not had or read of issues with his stuff. Anyone else have issues? I still think you should use a solid state replacement.
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