I've got the Glow Gauge Blues (problem with temp gauge)

[im2bad4ya]

Okay, so I tried installing some new glow gauges, and of course, even after being careful and taking my time, I snapped the fuel gauge needle. So now I'm going to invest in a new gauge cluster.

So I figured since it was broken, I would still use the cluster to prep the gauges to figure out a way to install the glow gauges without breaking anything on my new gauge cluster. So in the back of the cluster, there are three screws each for the temp and fuel gauge holding them to the cluster. So I unscrewed them and took the gauges out of the cluster, and sure enough, putting the glow gauges on with the fuel/temp gauges out of the cluster was easy, since you can slip it on the the clock/date knob after, instead of slipping it on the knob and both needles at the same time.

So after putting it back in my car, my temp gauge works as usual, and it'll go to the middle when the engine is warm, as it should. But after a while, about 5-10 minutes from starting, the temp gauge shoots up to HOT and stays there. So I have no doubt that the fact that I took out the gauges from the cluster and reinstalled them has caused my temp gauge to act funny like this.

I figured I would use the same methodology of removing the gauges from the cluster and then slipping on the glow gauges, but I don't want to duplicate the same problem with the temp gauge on my new cluster.

I've read a few other topics where people had the same issue of the temp jumping to HOT after installing their gauges, but not whether or not they removed the gauges from the cluster, or if they were able to fix the problem. So I guess what I'm asking is, is there a way to fix the temp gauge?? I'm going to take the cluster out tomorrow and re-examine the gauges, to make sure the 6 screws are on tight (since they're supposed to make contact with the silicon sheet on the back of the cluster) and I'll check to see if the resistor on the gauge itself is broken, burned, etc. But for now, does anyone have any knowledge of this problem????

[umcamara]

I realize that it's very probable that the needle is shooting to hot because of your tampering with the cluster. Just be very careful and watch your engine carefully. Sure... it's probably not really overheating, but it'd be a pretty expensive/frustrating assumption to be wrong about. Never rule out the possibility of a complete coincidence.

Good luck...

[im2bad4ya]

Okay, so I've looked at the gauge again, and nothing seems broken or damaged. I put the cluster back in the car. Now instead of the needle staying in the middle and shooting up to HOT in 1 second, it gradually goes from COLD to HOT in a matter of 4-5 seconds. Any way to fix this???

[V8KOMX3]

I snapped my needle a long time ago when I tried that mod to, that crap was harder to do then my KLZE swap so I just sold the gauges and got a nifty cluster from japan which is cool to alltho I never knwe how fast I was going but then my speedo sensor broke and it never really mattered anyway. Good luck doing the mod I didnt have the will to try again

[DJsMX-3]

The meter isnt really much other than a fixed magnet and the coil to get the movement, not much could go wrong there..

Have you tested that the needle moves freely, not catching anywhere at the new dials?
Allso the needle has a little coilspring around it dampening the movement, if you maybe turned the needle CW or CCW when installing the dials you need to turn the needle back to its original position for correct deflection..

If all else go wrong i remember theres a write up somewhere on how to calibrate the needles "from back in the day where you would have to snap the needles off and put them back on again after mounting the dials"
If i remember correctly you would only need to replace the resistor on the back on the meter, you just have to mount it in a testbench to find the correct value first

Hope this helped you a little further