Question about Temperature gauge

zang8027

Seaman
Joined
Oct 4, 2012
Messages
64
I got the boat in the driveway and I do not have a temp reading on the gauge after the engine warms up with muffs. Is there a test besides continuity that I can run to test if its the gauge or wire? I see a white wire coming off one terminal on the back, and I think a purple one (light maybe). Can I ground out a wire or something to get it to see if the pin moves?

See sig for motor info. MCM170 alpha 1
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Question about Temperature gauge

Take the wire of the sender (on the engine). With the key in the run position, touch the wire to a good clean ground. The gauge should peg to full. Don't hold it on there, just a touch to see if the gauge works.

It's a tan wire going to the sender.
 

zang8027

Seaman
Joined
Oct 4, 2012
Messages
64
Re: Question about Temperature gauge

Take the wire of the sender (on the engine). With the key in the run position, touch the wire to a good clean ground. The gauge should peg to full. Don't hold it on there, just a touch to see if the gauge works.

It's a tan wire going to the sender.

Thanks! I was able to get it to spike. Must be the sending unit. Dumb question but let me eliminate it as an issue - The boat does NOT have to be in the water for it to read correct?
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Question about Temperature gauge

Thanks! I was able to get it to spike. Must be the sending unit. Dumb question but let me eliminate it as an issue - The boat does NOT have to be in the water for it to read correct?

No, but the engine has to be run on muffs and the engines temp has to be above the minimum temp on the gauge.
 
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