Small electronics 101: Water temp gauge
 

I have an Omori water temp gauge and sender. The needle bounces all over the place most of the time, now it just does not work. How do I go about determining if this is a sender problem, wiring problem, or gauge controller problem?

I have steady resistance readings at the sender, and the resistance changes with temp, but I don't know what that range should be. What else can I check before I spend more money and fab hours?

I think the general answer is to "buy a new gauge" since Omori and the people I bought it from don't answer the phone nor reply to emails.

Normally I'd say it's a grounding issue, with the vibrations you see on FIA curbing, I'd check the internal and external wiring.

Is it mechanical or electrical? I'm assuming electrical I guess.

When I jack with the wiring at the sender, needle goes crazy. hmmmm

Yes, its electric.

I would also say check the grounds. I am not exactly sure how the Omni gauge works so the following advice might not be relevant. I would take the wire that connects to the sender and touch it to the metal outside of the gauge, If it goes to its max temp then you know the gauge is working. You then either need to figure out why the sender is not giving a good signal. Could be how the wire is attached to the sender, or it could be the sender itself.

On a side note VEI Gauges have an extremely quick reply time when it comes to tech support. They have been more then helpful with trying to get my Water/Oil Temp gauges working correctly.

Time to open it up.

Wrong, time to buy ----.

Call me sweetie and we can take a look at it! :)