C3-1971-Temperature gauge replacement or rebuild?

[Greg F.]

My temperature gauge has stopped working. I believe it is the gauge itself as I've check the wiring and all signs show it's the gauge itself (the needle is sitting well below the first hash mark and this is a first).

What should I do?

Should I purchase a reproduction gauge? If so, where is the best place to purchase one?

OR...should I get my original rebuilt? If so, where?

I don't think this is hard to do as I've never removed a gauge before. Is it as easy as removing the gauge cluster bezel and removing the specific gauge?

Thanks,
Greg

[David N.]

Re: C3-1971-Temperature gauge replacement or rebuild?

Greg,
I would use a high quality NOS replacement gauge as it would ease disassembly and reassembly to once. Many sources, of which a few are Dr. Rebuild '71 green face temp. gauge @ $59.50. Corvette Central @ $59.95 Mid-America @$69.99 Eckler's @ $59.99 with a note that temperature gauge sending unit must be ordered for correct temperature reading.
I have had mine out more times than I should have. The procedure is not all that hard. Just follow the service manual instructions. After all that, you can and should check the Driveline advertisements as there are excellent NOS reproductions listed in there as well.
Good luck and happy Corvetting
David (waving ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~)

[Greg F.]

Re: C3-1971-Temperature gauge replacement or rebuild?

Another question....

Is it possible that it is the sending unit and not the gauge? If so, where is the sending unit located? Is it on the passenger side beneath the exhaust manifold???

Thanks,
Greg

[Dick W.]

Re: C3-1971-Temperature gauge replacement or rebuild?

Before you go thru the exercise in replacing your guage, I would try testing the wiring. Turn the ignition to on, remove the wire from the sending unit, ground it to a known ground as see what the reading is. It should real full scale, HOT, if the wiring is ok.

[John H.]

Re: C3-1971-Temperature gauge replacement or rebuild?

Before you go thru the exercise in replacing your guage, I would try testing the wiring. Turn the ignition to on, remove the wire from the sending unit, ground it to a known ground as see what the reading is. It should real full scale, HOT, if the wiring is ok.

And if you disconnect it from the sending unit and don't let it touch anything, the gauge should read full scale COLD. If it meets both these tests, it's not the gauge.

[Alan S.]

Re: C3-1971-Temperature gauge replacement or rebuild?

Hi Greg,
If you end up taking the center gauge bezel out to get at the gauge, please be very careful pushing or twsting on the top third of the bezel. It's VERY easy to break it because it was designed with a very thin area just above the gauges themselves. There are also 2 hidden studs in the bottom of the bezel under the radio opening that fasten the bezel to the shifter console -they're hard to find and to get a socket to. Good luck on your gauge.
Regards,
Alan

[Joe L.]

Re: C3-1971-Temperature gauge replacement or rebuild?

Another question....

Is it possible that it is the sending unit and not the gauge? If so, where is the sending unit located? Is it on the passenger side beneath the exhaust manifold???

Thanks,
Greg

Greg-----


The temp sender is on the DRIVER side cylinder head toward the front (below exhaust manifold). The unit on the rear of the PASSENGER side head is the TCS switch.

[Greg F.]

Re: C3-1971-Temperature gauge replacement or rebuild?

Thanks Joe and everyone! I was testing the wire for he TCS switch...(I'm an idiot!). I walked to the driver side and found a dangling wire. Everythting works great. If it wasn't for this site, who knows how far I would've gone and how much money I would've spent!!

Thank you again,
Greg