[Tigers] Don's follow up comment Temp Gauge Reading High

Fri Aug 22 19:26:16 MDT 2025

Standard Smiths gauge.   However, I’m running GM one-wire alternator, so not using the stock voltage regulator.   – G.

From: Gary Winblad <winbladgary at gmail.com> 
Sent: Friday, August 22, 2025 5:47 PM
To: Donald Antilla <fast427 at sbcglobal.net>
Cc: Stu <sabre2tgr at gmail.com>; gharlowe at comcast.net; tigers at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Tigers] Don's follow up comment Temp Gauge Reading High

No, the Smiths type does not require the case be grounded... except for the night light.

The two terminals are

1.  about 10V (pulsed, 10V average from the regulator)

2. to the sensor which completes the circuit by going to ground.

And it doesn't matter which terminal is which..  Inside is a heating wire, non-polaized.

Gary W.

On Fri, Aug 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM Donald Antilla via Tigers <tigers at autox.team.net <mailto:tigers at autox.team.net> > wrote:

Graham: Please pardon my ignorance, but will you let me know if you have a classic Smiths gauge setup, or a Ford type?

My comment prior about grounding the case assumes you have a Smith’s type system. In that case, you do need to ground your indicator case or- as happened to me- you get flakey readings.

Don 

From: Tigers <tigers-bounces at autox.team.net <mailto:tigers-bounces at autox.team.net> > on behalf of Stu <sabre2tgr at gmail.com <mailto:sabre2tgr at gmail.com> >
Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 7:37 PM
To: gharlowe at comcast.net <mailto:gharlowe at comcast.net>  <gharlowe at comcast.net <mailto:gharlowe at comcast.net> >
Cc: tigers at autox.team.net <mailto:tigers at autox.team.net>  <tigers at autox.team.net <mailto:tigers at autox.team.net> >
Subject: Re: [Tigers] Temp Gauge Reading High

A high reading indicates there is a higher current flowing through the gauge,  so a poor connection is unlikely.  Is your tank near empty or full?  A bad regulator might make less of a difference if the gauge is near empty.

The voltage regulator gets its ground through it's mounting screw.  It would not be a first if there's a bit of corrosion under there.  In a quiet place, turn on the key, don't start it, and you should be able to hear the  stock voltage regulator ticking away..

For some more hints, here's a link to my old article on gauge troubleshooting.  

TigersUnited.com <http://www.tigersunited.com/techtips/BrennanGauge/rt-BrennanGauge1.asp> 

Both gauges have the same innards, so you can swap leads and see what happens with the pointer angles.   

Stu

On Thu, Aug 21, 2025 at 5:57 PM gharlowe--- via Tigers <tigers at autox.team.net <mailto:tigers at autox.team.net> > wrote:

Hey all –

It’s been quiet here so hoping to T-up an easy discussion.  

My temp gauge is reading about 25 degrees high.   I noticed it after a shop installed a new clutch, which required the engine to be removed, coolant drained, etc., but nothing that should have affected how the gauge reads.  Running on a cool day, temps were reading around 215-220 degrees.  To ensure I wasn’t actually in danger of overheating, I checked various water-cooled locations with an infrared thermometer.   Highest reading was right at the water neck/thermostat housing (191 deg F).   The fuel gauge is reading accurately.  I understand the under-dash instrument stabilizer can affect both instruments, but in this case, only one gauge is off.  I plan to check the ground to the temp gauge and clean contact points at the engine sending unit and at the gauge.   Any other suggestions?  

Thanks and I hope all is well out there!

Graham Harlowe

B382001466

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