Catch 22

As I've admitted multiple times, I am electrically challenged. So I need some help here.

Basically I've hooked this oil temp gauge up to 3 different 12v power sources (Radio, Dash light, and cigarette lighter), and each one causes the thing to peg out to 300 degrees as soon as I hit the key. I'm guessing it's not supposed to do that.

The install directions are pretty much worthless. Any advice? Where should I pull power for this thing (assuming I haven't already fried the temp sender).

Thanks

Crack Monkey

Are you sure you're hooking power to the correct post? Sounds like you got one of them wrong. Where are yu getting the signal from? The sender that came with the gauge should be used.

Padronis

All of those should be 12V sources(as you stated), do you have it correctly grounded? That is the only thing I can think of.

Accord94DX

yeah, you might have a funky ground

Catch 22

I double checked the posts since that's the first thing I thought of as well. They are correct.

I am using the sender that came with the gauge.

I tapped into a ground on the engine block as the instructions said "use a good engine ground."

If you guys think the power source selections are fine (and my multimeter agrees, then it must be the ground. Any suggestions on what to use for a ground?

Thanks

Knestis

Use your MM to check between your hot source and your chosen ground. If that indicates a good 12v, you may have:

a) a bad gauge
b) a bad sender
c) a sender that is calibrated for a range different than your gauge
d) bad karma?

Kirk

Drew M

Scott - If you don't figure it out I will help you with it on Saturday. I am used to helping fix **** on your car . . .

Catch 22

Ground is quite excellent. 12v, very steady.

I'm gonna go with bad Karma at this point.

Scott, who's Air/Fuel and Oil Temp gauges LOOK great installed in his dash. Unfortunately neither of them work.

Catch 22

I'll be bringing the MM. Maybe you can figure this silly **** out.
I'm also going to try to call autometer on the cell during the trip up tomorrow.

This sucks. It seems like I pull off the major **** with no issues, but little **** like gauges and an oil filter adapter kick my ***.

johng

I was sorta thinking the same thing. Good luck guys.

Mista Bone

wrong wiring. you have the 12v and signal wires mixed at back of gauge or they are touching.

Yep, I've done it myself. Easiest way to burn up a gauge also!

Crazydave

Is the Sender properly grounded?

Mista Bone

if a bad ground, gauge will read low.

Crack Monkey

yeah, is the sender grounded? usually it grounds itself, since it's usually mounted in the engien block. But maybe you have it mounted somewhere it can't ground?

Mista Bone

not a ground issue. wiring is mixed up on back of the gauge.

Greyout

I have a feeling you hooked up the signal wire to the power source