Watertemp gauge won't work.

[drturbo]

Hello my Ranger lovin' friends!
I am the proud owner of an 1987 ranger 2.9 4x4 longbed.
I love this car, we've had -30c this winter here in Norway, this car still starts and gives me a warm a cozy coupe. (my fathers new Audi diesel would NOT start!)

Anyways, my watertemp gauge does not work. I have pulled the cluster out, and with a 9v battery directly connected, the needle slowly moves up. Connected directly form the sender, nothing happens.
I figure the gauge is ok, but there must be a problem somewhere else, but where???
Someone please help.

Friendly regards,
Tommy, Norway

 

[martin]

If memory serve me correctly the gauge recieves 5v approx from the ivr. the other side of the gauge is wired to the sender that grounds through its internal resistance relative to temperature. The most common problem is a dirty connection at the sender. If you ground the wire at the sender the gauge should go to full hot. if you disconnect the wire it should show full cold.