I have some questions to my '74 Valiant but before I tell what I've done already:
The fuel gauge worked fine but my temp gauge read high (over 250) and went over the visible area of the gauge. When the engine was warmed up, the gauge went to the "cold position". I then changed the temp gauge sensor but nothing happened. Later the fuel gauge started to be "full" at 3/4 and stay on that position until the fuel tank was empty. I then replaced the fuel gauge with a spare one I got from another dashboard aswell as the voltage regulator but nothing happened again. I did drive this way until I rebuilt the dash panel this week.
I've ordered another used temp gauge and installed it. The temp gauge now moves again but it goes straight to "hot as hell" (as I call it) position. I've put in the old sensor again and the same problem with that. With the temp gauge moving, the engine rattles more than before. The needle goes slowly back to "cold" in idle but goes fast back to "hot" when I push the gas pedal a little to raise the rpm.
What's installed now is an used gauge that - the seller said - worked, with the old voltage regulator and the old temp sensor.
So, my questions are:
How can I ground the gauge to see if it's alright?
How can I check if the sensor wiring is bad?
Might the thermostat be faulty and probably being stuck? (It was replaced 1.5 years ago)
I'm not familiar with wiring or electric/electronic system in general...
Like someone said on an old post of mine once: "...electrics are like Voodoo to me..."
Ah yes..:
225 Slant Six, Plymouth Valiant, built on May 17th 1974 (so '74 model year I think), no mods, 3 spd auto
The fuel gauge worked fine but my temp gauge read high (over 250) and went over the visible area of the gauge. When the engine was warmed up, the gauge went to the "cold position". I then changed the temp gauge sensor but nothing happened. Later the fuel gauge started to be "full" at 3/4 and stay on that position until the fuel tank was empty. I then replaced the fuel gauge with a spare one I got from another dashboard aswell as the voltage regulator but nothing happened again. I did drive this way until I rebuilt the dash panel this week.
I've ordered another used temp gauge and installed it. The temp gauge now moves again but it goes straight to "hot as hell" (as I call it) position. I've put in the old sensor again and the same problem with that. With the temp gauge moving, the engine rattles more than before. The needle goes slowly back to "cold" in idle but goes fast back to "hot" when I push the gas pedal a little to raise the rpm.
What's installed now is an used gauge that - the seller said - worked, with the old voltage regulator and the old temp sensor.
So, my questions are:
How can I ground the gauge to see if it's alright?
How can I check if the sensor wiring is bad?
Might the thermostat be faulty and probably being stuck? (It was replaced 1.5 years ago)
I'm not familiar with wiring or electric/electronic system in general...
Like someone said on an old post of mine once: "...electrics are like Voodoo to me..."
Ah yes..:
225 Slant Six, Plymouth Valiant, built on May 17th 1974 (so '74 model year I think), no mods, 3 spd auto