Not so hot (temp gauge woes)

[rockcod]

My 65 FJ45 temp gauge has been acting up since I bought it. When the motor is cold the needle is in the "hot" position, as the motor warms up, the gauge moves down into the "norma"l position. When the ignition is turned off the needle goes back to the "hot" position. I have switched the wires around on the gauge cluster, same result. Checked the wires, they are all good. The motor is the original F motor ('65). Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Degnol]

Normal operation. Scary until you realize that is how it works.
I guess I should say....that is how the gauge on my '65 works.

 

[rockcod]

Really!! Well, ok, thanks Ed.

 

[65swb45]

Tony, it should go all the way down to the C when the key is turned on. If it doesn't, that is usually a sign that the sending unit wire came off the sender at some point and shorted the guage. It doesn't 'kill' the guage, just makes it run tweaked for the rest of it's life.

When I change a temp guage anymore, I add a couple of inches of wire to the harness to increase the likelihood that the wire will not slip off from simple engine torque.

Best

Mark A.

 

[rockcod]

Thanks Mark! I will try swapping a spare gauge in there.