water temperature gauge

[leighoq]

hi everybody. i have a 2006 crownline 180 br that i bought new. having problems with the temp gauge. when i turn on the switch the gauge reads about 200 degrees. i put a new sending unit in and it still does the same thing. is the gauge bad or could it be something else and will just any gauge work/fit? we don't have a local crownline dealer. crownline.com tells me i have to go to a dealer. i sent emails to 2 dealors in the state and neither will give me a reply. thanks so much for your help.

 

[NYBo]

Re: water temperature gauge

Welcome to iboats!

Start by checking the connections at the gauge. They need to be clean and tight.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: water temperature gauge

Crownline didn't make the gauge but Faria or Teleflex probably did. "Any" temp gauge is NOT going to work unless that gauge happens to be a match for the sender. The sender is restive element (33 - 240 ohms depending on water temp). If the gauge and sender are not matched, you will get erroneous readings.

 

[leighoq]

Re: water temperature gauge

thanks guys for trying to help. @ NYBo- thanks for the welcome. i checked and all connections seem to be very clean and tight, but no change. @ Silvertip-thanks for the information. I guess I will try to get a gauge that matches the sender and replace it. hope that gets it. thanks again.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: water temperature gauge

Very wrong approach. Home Depot and Lowes sell multi-testers for less than $15. Buy one and learn how to use it. then measure the restistance of the sender. then check continuity of the sender wire between the sender and the gauge. Then turn the key on and MOMENTARILY jump the "S" terminal on the gauge to ground. The need should peg HOT. If it doesn't you 1) don't ahve +12 volts on the gauge, 2) don't have ground on the gauge, or 3) you really do have a bad gauge. Troubleshooting is a lot cheaper than "shotgunning" a problem hoping you get lucky.