mechnical temp gauge

I know... I got it from Summit and it was cheap enough. It only works when I wiggle it at the fitting where it goes into the block, ( 225 slant). It has the correct brass fitting.
I bought it last year and it sat on the shelf for ever before I installed it.

I guess where the wire goes into the part that reads the temp must be defective. I wiggle it at the gauge and has no effect.

I know, order another one and pay a few $$ more! No other remedy?