Solve my TEMP GAUGE problem

[bcsbadboys]

The temp gauge needle in my '97 Camry does not move.

I've followed all the steps:

1. Check the gauge fuse behind the coin tray- good

2. Grounded the sending unit wire with a jumper wire- gauge FAILS to respond. Does not peg to hot.

3. Grounded the sending unit terminal on the back of the gauge- gauge FAILS to respond. Does not peg to hot.

4. Check the resistance of gauge points A-B, A-C, and B-C. All three match the correct OHMS listed in the manual.

5. Used a different sending unit to see if current one is bad- gauge FAILS to respond

Someone tell me WHY THE NEEDLE ISN'T RESPONDING!

[sam333]

You have to have power going into the gauge also ( have you checked that)?

[bcsbadboys]

Originally Posted by sam333

You have to have power going into the gauge also ( have you checked that)?

I think so. I grounded one of the terminals on the back of the gauge and it showed around .6 V or something. The Haynes manual says if voltage is present, replace the gauge. Is that correct?

I'm going to have to take a closer look. I just printed some diagrams from ALL DATA. I can get back to you with better results.

I was hoping it was just the $15 sending unit. Troubleshooting this is really confusing me.

[sam333]

Yeh , its alot easier if you have a schematic. The gauge is bulit just like an ampmeter. The sending unit is a thermister( resistance varies with heat) ,as it gets hotter its resistance gets lower and it passes more current causing the needle to deflect more ( hotter).

[dave1811]

How is your Thermostat? I need to replace mine on my 99, the thing hardly moves at all. Just got a new factory one and plan on doing that next week. If they stick open, they won't hardly move at all, always running cold. After I replaced my other one, it now is in the middle after a little bit at operating tempature. Just a thought.

Dave

[bcsbadboys]

Originally Posted by dave1811

How is your Thermostat? I need to replace mine on my 99, the thing hardly moves at all. Just got a new factory one and plan on doing that next week. If they stick open, they won't hardly move at all, always running cold. After I replaced my other one, it now is in the middle after a little bit at operating tempature. Just a thought.

Dave

Thanks Dave, but it's not the thermostat. That is working properly. It's confined to the sending unit, wiring, and gauge. At least that's my belief given the troubleshooting I've done thusfar.

[bcsbadboys]

Had a new symptom show up the other day:

The gauge has been completely dead and doesn't move except for once when I turned the key to 'ON' and the needle moved down or towards 'C'. It was a very small movement. I was able to replicate that a couple of times and since then it's back to being dead. Hasn't moved since.

Possible that the gauge pod just has an internal short or bad connection? I've been looking at the junk yard for a gauge I could pull and replace. I don't necessarily want to purchase a different insturment panel. Thoughts?