Temperature gage

[Billy654]

I bought a 30ft. 1980 Catalina a few months ago. I have had the bottom done. Now I am working on top side. She is in very good shape except for a few problems. One problem is the control panel has three gages and non of them work. I want to fix the temp. gage first. Where do I start?

[tommays]

Well

Your really going to need and electric book and a manual for the motor

BUT guages get power when the key is ON and they then connect to the sender on the motor which allows a small amount of "JUICE" to reach ground depending on temp

SO the first thing you can do is find the motor temp sender and IF you ground the wire the guage should move IF not you have to work your way back


12volt-----key switch------guage-------sender-------ground

[ccriders]

Originally Posted by tommays

Well

Your really going to need and electric book and a manual for the motor

BUT guages get power when the key is ON and they then connect to the sender on the motor which allows a small amount of "JUICE" to reach ground depending on temp

SO the first thing you can do is find the motor temp sender and IF you ground the wire the guage should move IF not you have to work your way back


12volt-----key switch------guage-------sender-------ground

Can somebody elaborte on this? Should I be able to measure 12 volts at the gauge when ingition switch is on? If I ground the motor temperature sender what movement should I see in the gauge? Which test tells me whether the gauge or the motor temperature sender is/is not working or if the wiring is bad?
Thanks for your help
John