temp sending unit

[66moneypit]

Every once in a while I noticed my temp gauge would max out and then go back down. It was totally random of when it would happen. Well I was screwing around and I noticed connection to the sending unit was incredibly loose. I mean there was no resistance when pulling it off the connector.

What's the best way to fix that so it's tighter ?

 

[Vinyl66]

Use a ring type electrical connector and a small nut to hold it down.

 

[67 GTA]

Are you talking about one of the black 90 degree boots that slide on?

 

[Max Power]

Pinch the boot with a pliers and reinstall.

 

[66moneypit]

Are you talking about one of the black 90 degree boots that slide on?

Exactly.... could that explain the gauge behavior ?

 

[67 GTA]

Yes, they get worn inside and won't get a good contact. There may be something else wrong, but I would start there. Cut it off and do what Vinyl66 said. Don't try to squeeze it together, it will have an even worse connection.

 

[66moneypit]

Use a ring type electrical connector and a small nut to hold it down.

Just cut the existing connector and use a ring connector ? I will check to sending unit to make sure it has threads.

 

[Jester67]

If the gauge is pegging out it is because the wire is getting shorted not because it is lose. The way they work is as the temperature increased the resistance decreases. A disconnected “ loose” connection would give you no reading at all.

 

[67 GTA]

Jester may beon to something here. I ground my gauges out to make sure they aren't the problem and they do max out when they are working properly.

 

[Jester67]

Jester may beon to something here. I ground my gauges out to make sure they aren't the problem and they do max out when they are working properly.

Mom would be so proud 4 years of collage is finally paying off.

 

[zookeeper]

This kinda reminds me of my last truck. The oil pressure guage read "0" pretty much all the time, and anytime someone else drove it, they'd panic. I always got the same question, "what makes you think it's just the gauge or sending unit?" I always figured it had to be since it never made any noise and ran for 5+ years like that. My current Mazda doesn't even have an oil pressure gauge of any kind! But I do agree with the loose connector being the culprit here, and I also think snipping off the stock end and replacing it with a ring connector would solve your problem. Either that or buy a whole new part of the harness, it's under $30 from NPD.

 

[66moneypit]

I hadn't thought about buying a new harness. It's soooo random it's not even funny. It rarely happens but when it does it's unnerving. I will just cut it for now. It's an easy fix and if it works great. It only happens 2-3 times in the last 3000 miles. It could be my gauge as well it is suspect too because when it's running normal it barely gets about the (C). Not sure where the needle should point when it's working properly.

 

[1966conv]

I've had the same thing happen twice on my 66, except it did it to all the gauges. Only lasted a couple seconds and was back to normal.

Never did figure out what caused it, haven't had it happen in a while now though.

 

[dennis112]

I've had the same thing happen twice on my 66, except it did it to all the gauges. Only lasted a couple seconds and was back to normal.

Never did figure out what caused it, haven't had it happen in a while now though.

More than likely the problem with yours is that the Voltage Regulator found on the back of your guage cluster had a hiccup or an issue with its ground. The one VR controls the fuel guage, temp guage, and the oil pressure guage. When one goes, usually all 3 guages quit working.