Temperature Gauge Mod

Temperature Gauge Installation

I had been having extremely high temp readings with the stock in-dash gauge. For one reason or another, I felt the readings were not correct, and they always varied. I installed a temporary inexpensive mechanical gauge to experiment with the readings. Sure enough, the readings on the temp gauge were a LOT lower, and consistent! I removed the CD, and moved the radio to that position, fabricated a mounting panel from .063 aluminum, and installed it in the old radio slot with an Auto Meter "Z Series" 2 inch electrical gauge. I have an extra hole in the panel, for when I install an oil press gauge. A delete panel could have been drilled & installed, but I couldn't bring myself to pay $28 for a piece of plastic from PPI, and then turn around and mutilate it.

6 Aug '03: Last week, while installing a new starter (and having tons of trouble trying to find out why it STILL wouldn't crank over), I found a bad engine ground - from the neg battery terminal. It was impossible to tighten up without draining radiator & removing several hoses, so I installed a secondary ground cable from battery to engine (next time the lower hose is removed, this process can be reversed). ANYWAY, that solved the starting problem (didn't even need a new starter). Also, my in-dash (OEM) gauges started reading in the Normal range. That bad ground had probably been causing all of my abnormal instrument readings - high temp, low charge, high oil press, etc. Now, everything looks great! Don't forget the basics - test the circuit from one end to the other (especially the ENGINE GROUND)!

These Photos May Give You An Idea

gauge1.jpg (16630 bytes)