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

[Stu]

No, there's a separate voltage regulator for the fuel and temp gauges,
located just behind the instruments.  It switches the 12V on and off so
that it averages out to be about 10V.  This switching is the ticking I
mentioned.  Try to read this voltage with an old style analog meter and the
pointer will be jumping around.  A digital meter will go nuts.  This
assumes, of course, that a previous owner didn't replace the stock panel
voltage regulator with an electronic one.

On Fri, Aug 22, 2025 at 9:26 PM <gharlowe at comcast.net> wrote:

>
>
> 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> 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> on behalf of Stu <
> sabre2tgr at gmail.com>
> *Date: *Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 7:37 PM
> *To: *gharlowe at comcast.net <gharlowe at comcast.net>
> *Cc: *tigers at autox.team.net <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> 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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>
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