Hey Guys,
This falls under the category of: "Correct me if I'm wrong"....
On my 77 Dodge Shorty - I was problem solving a dead temp gauge. Thus far I:
* Cleaned contacts at both ends, including thru the bulkhead, and measured for resistance (it was .004), and had continuity.
* I grounded the lead and watched the gauge move to hot so I knew it worked.
* I changed sensors to a new one I picked up from Pep Boys.
The good: It works. The bad: It can't be right.
The van is running down the road happily at 230+ degrees and at a stop sign with travel to 250 with no signs of overheating or knocking coming from the Rad. So now correct me if I'm wrong, but my next move should be to try the old sender again? I can't believe the van wouldn't overheat at that reading if this were a thermostat issue. I recall the van always reading at about 170 on that dial.
It's important to note that I did measure higher resistance along the wire as it was hot. Dunno if that makes a difference or not. I did not have this problem before when the gauge worked last (within the year).
And, I leave my windows open overnight and come out to THIS in the morning! Darn birds! That's never happened before!