Some technical on hands help needed

[Robert M.]

Hi all. I have some gage issues on my 67 L71. Unfortunately my eyesight is such that I cannot trouble shoot the problem myself. Anyone in the King of Prussia, PA neighborhood that is electically saavy or can recommend someone. Thanks in advance.

[Thomas H.]

Re: Some technical on hands help needed

PM sent.......

[Richard M.]

Re: Some technical on hands help needed

Robert, What exactly are you having problems with? Maybe we can help. Can you take some photos to help us troubleshoot?

Rich

[Robert M.]

Re: Some technical on hands help needed

1. right headlight door does not fully open. It hits the stop.
2. ammenter not moving regardless of load. need to troubleshoot
3. temp gauge pegs at full hot when up to operating temp. IR gun shows car running at 190. Is this the gauge or sending unit?

[Richard M.]

Re: Some technical on hands help needed

See info within quote.....

1. right headlight door does not fully open. It hits the stop.

Was it always like that? If not, the "Y" Clamp probably loosened up or is misadjusted. Each end has a adjust bolt to stop up or down. Hard to see even with 20-20 vision though.

2. ammenter not moving regardless of load. need to troubleshoot

Could be the meter, but may very well be just a bad connection at the Horn Relay Buss Bar, which is the "load' wire. The other wire on the Meter comes from thwe Bat+ connection at the solenoid. Disconnect your Battery, and clean the Horn buss first. If that doesn't, clean the Bat+ wire at the Solenoid. i can get the wire codes for you later, or if you have a Wiring Diagram.....but those are really hard to read too.

3. temp gauge pegs at full hot when up to operating temp. IR gun shows car running at 190. Is this the gauge or sending unit?

Try this.....When it's up to temp and pegs, disconnect the terminal from the sender and observe the gauge. If pegged, a possible short to ground on the wire. Wiggle that wire in the engine bay a little to see if the meter goes to zero. Common short is at the Ignition shield (if equipped). If the above tests show no faults, it's probably the sending unit. If you want you can get a ohm meter to test it. if you do let us know.

Rich

[Larry M.]

Re: Some technical on hands help needed

See info within quote.....

Agree with Rich. A few other comments/points.

1. Another source of the amp gage not responding is corroded terminals on the two wires to the gage at the body firewall connector. The connector could also possibility be loose. There are a number of threads in the archives about loosening and cleaning these firewall electrical blocks (2). You can test the gage by disconnecting the two wires at the gage and QUICKLY connect/disconnect a 1.5 volt AA Battery to the gage. The needle should move/deflect to one end or the other. Don't keep the test battery connected too long.

2. Disconnect the temperature sender wire and use a multi-meter to check the resistance of the sender to ground at room temperature and also when fully hot (180 F or so). We have curves that can provide you the resistance that you should get. But it sounds like the sending unit wire to the gage has a nick in the insulation and shorts to ground to peg out the gage.

FWIW. Larry

[Richard M.]

Re: Some technical on hands help needed

Good additional info Gary. Yes the fabled Bulkhead connector issues, and good idea with the meter test using the dry-cell.

Robert.....Here's a '63 wiring diagram which may help if you get into the bulkhead connectors. If you need some points to check I can highlight some for you.

http://www.keystonestatecorvetteclub.net/Documents/Corvette wiring diagrams/Chevy Corvette 1963.pdf

Rich

[Stephen G.]

Re: Some technical on hands help needed

Robert - Is the car on the road? If you can drive it there are several people in the area that can help.

Steve

[Robert M.]

Re: Some technical on hands help needed

Robert - Is the car on the road? If you can drive it there are several people in the area that can help.

Steve

Yes Steve, the car is on the road and runs great!

[Stephen G.]

Re: Some technical on hands help needed

If you still have not resolved any of your issues we can try and get together.

Contact me directly at sgansky@me.com

[Stephen L.]

Re: Some technical on hands help needed

Had a similar problem of temp gauge "pegging" when at an intermediate engine temp. Tried all the common troubleshooting including a "decade" box which allowed me to slowly alter the resistance seen by the gauge (substituted for the sender). The meter pegged at the same resistance repeatedly. Found that the gauge was not properly grounded at the instrument panel.