after market temp gauge isue

[marshyboy2002]

Hi guys I have just fitted an aftermarket temp gauge in the car and done as instructions say and used the temp sender that came with it butt as soon as I switch the ignition on it boots it up to 80 and if I disconnect the wire from the sender it boots it up to 40
Any ideas

[haz87]

Is the temp sender single or dual connector? If single, is it earthed properly (well both cases it needs to be earthed properly but single is more likely to have issues)

[marshyboy2002]

Hi bud it has a
live to the ignition
A wire straight to the sender
An earth straight to the engine block right by the sender
And an earth to the dash
Plus wires for the led bulb
If this makes sense

[marshyboy2002]

What do u class as dual
The wires I have mentioned is all that is on the gauge if that helps

[Graham]

Sounds like cheapo Chinese jobbie

[marshyboy2002]

Nail on the head graham

[marshyboy2002]

Only got it as the one in the dash has stopped working
Original in the ford binnacle that is

[alladdin]

does it go top of scale if you short the sender wire to earth?

[marshyboy2002]

Sorry bud had to go and check butt yes it goes straight to max if I earth it out

[alladdin]

sounds like a sender issue in that case, resistance to ground too low.
measure the resistance of the sender (connector to ground).

[marshyboy2002]

U will have to tell me that in dopy terms sorry bud that sounds technical to me lol

[marshyboy2002]

I have just put the multi meter on the sender wire and it reads 05.1
If this makes a difference

[alladdin]

set meter to ohms, measure across the sender , threads (or engine if fitted) to terminal where wire attaches. it wont help you much but you will possibly be able to compare to what it should be. you will probably find it uses a "standard" value , although theres more than one depending on makes of gauges. what dash clock set you using ? its a slim chance but i may have some bits.

[marshyboy2002]

Cheers bud the clocks that come with the car are ghia clocks I think just speedo rev counter and fuel and temp

[alladdin]

when you say it didnt work how did you test (ghia) it takes ages to get off cold when running

[marshyboy2002]

Had the car running for ten mins and it never moved
All so when I switch the ignition on the needle doesn't even make an appearance