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Coolant Temp Stuff

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by XXIIILIV, May 20, 2022.

  1. May 20, 2022
    XXIIILIV

    XXIIILIV Member

    Las Vegas, nv
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    Apr 16, 2022
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    Ok, I’m resigned to being the guy asking “eye rolling” questions. I have a new temp gauge, new sender. Key off, nothing, key on, after a few seconds, full hot. Checked wire to ground for shorts. What am i missing
     
  2. May 20, 2022
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
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    I'd be tempted to pull the wire off the sending unit and check for power.
    It should be low voltage, 6-7 volts if I recall and pulsating with key on.
    If not, wiring/dash gauge problem. The voltage regulator for both dash gauges is built into the temp gauge ?
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  3. May 20, 2022
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    You can test wire at sending unit with a regular 12 volt test light; it's just that the lamp will be dim when pulsating.
     
  4. May 20, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Jim is correct.

    The TSM has a complete section on testing the gauges. The sender is a thermistor, varying in resistance with temperature. The resistances by temperature are given in the section.

    The gauges work on 12V power pulsed to time-average about 5V. If the pulser does not work, you could get full 12V and see full deflection even if the sender has the right resistance. Full 12V will destroy the gauge after a while. The pulser will also not pulse if not grounded, and its default without gorund is on.

    You should be able to see the pulsing with a test light, analog meter (like a Simpson) or a scope. A good digital meter like a Fluke should sample and convert fast enough so you can see the voltage pulsing - a cheap meter will freak out. The layout of what terminals have what voltages is in the TSM.

    I wrote an"article" about building a gauge tester. Not exactly what you want, but might be helpful. http://earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/143458/
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  5. May 20, 2022
    XXIIILIV

    XXIIILIV Member

    Las Vegas, nv
    Joined:
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    Well, per the ladder diagram, in section 3-61, my new sending unit is bad. Seem reasonable?
     
  6. May 21, 2022
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Anything is always possible.
    If you disconnected the wire from sender, the proper pulsating voltage was present, and the needle dropped back to "C" I would say you are correct.
     
  7. May 21, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    If you have access to resistors or say a 100 ohm potentiometer or rheostat, you can test the gauge like my article shows. If the sender is bad, the gauge should still respond to changing resistance, whether it's a resistor or the sender.
     
  8. May 21, 2022
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
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    8,513
    As a reminder, don't use teflon tape or sealant on the threads.
    For fear of bad ground.
     
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