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I have nearly completed my body off restoration, but cannot understand why none of my guages, except the gas guage, registers properly. The BATTERY guage registers opposite what it should, the TEMP guage is burried to the hot end in just a few minutes, as is the OIL guage. Can it be a "ground" problem? Where is the cluster grounded?
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Re: Cluster Guages-'59
My 61' is grounded to one of the screws that holds in the speedo, I don't remember if it ties into the harness or to the valve cover, but I can check tonight and let you know... -
Re: Cluster Guages-'59
Paul,
The problems you describe can be caused by a poor ground, but there area few other things going on. If you connected your amp gauge according to the wiring diagram in the AIM, that is your problem there, the AIM is wrong and has been forever. The temp gauge sounds like sending unit issue but could be ground related. When you installed the temp sending unit did you use any thread sealant? If so that is a problem, the circuit relies on a good ground from the sending unit. Do you have a ground strap from the engine to the frame? If not install one, (I know, I know, GM did not install one from factory and it's not NCRS correct, but it's the best way to avoid these gremlins). Ground problems on C1's are the most common electrical malady.
As for the oil pressure gauge it's mechanical, you did not mention if the engine was running while you observed it pegged. There are no electrical issues there.
Hope this is helpful.
Best regards from Connecticut,
MarkComment
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Re: Cluster Guages-'59
I checked with an external temp guage and determined that my temperature was okay, so I purchased another NEW sending unit ... no thread tape or sealant. It also buries the needle. I assume then that the cluster guage needs to be adjusted, but thought perhaps that since the other guages are incorrect, there may be a ground problem. I will reverse the wires on the amp guage, and ground the engine to the frame. The oil guage is buried as soon as I start the engine.Comment
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Re: Cluster Guages-'59
The temp senders currently available are notoriously inaccurate. Take the sender out and test the resistance at room temp with a digital ohmmeter. It should read around 700 ohms. Many folks have had good results with an aftermarket sender made by Wells. It is a model TU5, avalable from Autozone for $6. You may also have a problem with your sender wire being grounded somewhere. Run a test wire directly from the sender to the gauge and see if anything changes.Comment
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Re: Cluster Guages-'59
Mark ...
You stated that the AIM is incorrect, As I'm presently wiring my 61', is it correct to wire the "RED's" to the right terminal and the "BLACK" ground to the left facing the back side of the battery gauge? Also I attached a black ground to the speedometer to gauge cluster hsg. screw.Comment
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Re: Cluster Guages-'59
Depending on the oil pump you have in your engine, high oil pressure with a cold engine is not terribly unusual. Check it with another mechanical gauge to verify if the gauge is a problem of if the engine is just running 60# when cold.Bill Clupper #618Comment
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Re: Cluster Guages-'59
Dennis,
The wiring diagram is actually correct they just have the terminals labled incorrectly on the gauge. To be honest with you I do not recall any black wire on the amp gauge, usually black wires are ground wires. I'm pretty sure the amp gauge has a red wire on both terminals as current must pass through the gauge (that is the gauge is in series).
I would have to revisit the wiring diagram, I did my '58 gauges back in '98 and my memory is failing me at this moment.
MarkComment
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