C2 1963 Fuel and temperature gauge not working

[Don C.]

When I put in the new harness and cluster in initially the temperature went to 180 and stayed around that when I drove around, that was pretty normal. Next day in the morning I looked at the cluster temperature gauge was still at 180, I did disconnect the temperature wire from the temp sensor and I believe this made the temperature needle go all the way back down but not sure(now the temp needle will not move). I did the obvious by grounding it out still nothing, fuel gauge is just stuck in the middle even though I disconnect the wire at the fuel gauge, does not move even with all the power off.

[Edward G.]

Re: C2 1963 Fuel and temperature gauge not working

Don,

Chances are that the wiring connector at the bulkhead is not making a good connection. The fuel gauge needs voltage from the sending unit to work. I might get my wire colors mixed up here but 12 volts is sent from the fuse on the green wire to the sending unit which goes through the rheostat on the float arm then back to the gauge on the brown wire. I checked the voltage at the sending unit and it was good on both wires. but nothing showing at the gauge. I traced it back to the engine side of the bulkhead which had voltage but there was no voltage on the dash side. Turns out the bulkhead connector had corrosion. Clean it with a dremmell tool and wire brush attachment.

Ed

[Todd L.]

Re: C2 1963 Fuel and temperature gauge not working

Thanks for this advice Ed. I have the exact same problem Don is explaining and am at a loss as to the problem. I will try what you have suggested, hopefully that fixes my issue as well. I was told by the guy that restored my guages that the fuel gauge will stay in the location it was in when it lost power, FYI.

Todd

[Don C.]

Re: C2 1963 Fuel and temperature gauge not working

Thank you for helping with this issue, I have very little electrical experience so I really do appreciate any response. I have just learned from the restoration company who did my gauges that the gauges will stay at the last location or thereabouts when there is no power, which makes sense when I turn the power off and-the next day when the engine is cold and I turn the ignition on the temperature goes down and the fuel temperature is reading correctly also. I was always under the impression that the gauges should go to zero when there is no power obviously that is not correct with these types of gauges.
Don..