Re: {Chrysler 300} RE: ‘63 Chrysler fuel/temp gauge GAUGES in general

[John Grady <jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

pegging all the way especially if more than one is not the gauge , it is the gauge regulator . The gauges run on an average of 5 v obtained by  pulsing 12 on and off.— such that average is5 v 
 ( you can see the little jumps about every half second when working right as you first turn on car ) 
Sometimes regulators are in one of the gauges , sometimes a little can outside . That is usually  better  , and can be converted . 67 dart for instance uses the can but you need to understand how to wire this if converting . 
Another approach is to use 7805 5 v IC regulator  , has to be bolted to metal for heat sink , easy to do for a radio type guy 
Rather sadly , if they sit  pegged on full or high due to bad regulators sending 12 v where 5 should be , one  can burn up the little heater winding thing in the  gauge , can’t be fixed ( little heater will be all black and burned in gauge ) some discoloration is normal but not  carbon color . A new gauge will burn right up too , but depends  on sender position at the time you might get lucky … or if unlucky  hurts both  gauge and sender if near F or H hot 
Even worse a burned gauge can short out the 5 v from a new regulator as the heater insulation burns off , allowing heater winding to touch the grounded metal . 
If that happens it blows up the regulator .again  which then blows the ( ? new?) gauges  again ! 
Test of gauge : Put 6 v “ lantern  battery  “ on gauge terminals that go to heater , it should move up slowly to F or H . Check terminals to ground of 2 pin winding gauge to metal frame with ohm  meter should be no connection . Now you have a good gauge . Do not try to adjust , you will be sad if you do . 
Once gauges are good new regulator or new gauge with regulator in it or conversion gets you going . Regulator fairly reliable but if no ground in cluster ( that little jumper wire in 60-62  ) it will not regulate —  this happens .
Why as mentioned before , solder a wire to metal of gauge cluster mounts , run to solid ground in dash . Factory used sheet metal screws into plastic , to hold ground a sad joke re engineering , even sadder outcome .
And some guys will not know  about this leave off the ground or stripped/ loose  screws 
later cars have PC card , hard wire the ground trace to metal with a soldered wire. . Pins in connector get loose solder  those too 
hope this helps you ,
John 
 
Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 18, 2024, at 3:32 PM, mplindahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> Thanks for all the responses.  Mark
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob Merritt <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2024 2:27 PM
> To: mplindahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: {Chrysler 300} RE: ‘63 Chrysler fuel/temp gauge
> 
> There are a few but I bet you are thinking of
> 
> J C Auto Restoration, 20815 52nd Ave W#2, Lynnwood, WA., 98036.
> 425-672-8324 Fax 425-771-2522. Jeff Carter. Gauge repair and power pack rebuilt. Also 300 medallions, lenses, and a large parts inventory.
> parts@xxxxxxxxxx
> 
> 
>> On 4/18/2024 3:07 PM, mplindahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>> Hello All,
>> 
>> I can't locate the name/company that rebuilds the Gas Gauges.  If someone has that information, please send it over again.  I would like to get a quote.  Thank you.
>> 
>> Regards,
>> Mark Lindahl
>> '63 300 Conv.
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Mark Lindahl <mplindahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Saturday, October 7, 2023 5:13 PM
>> To: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: ‘63 Chrysler fuel/temp gauge
>> 
>> Hello All,
>> 
>> Thanks for all the good suggestions. The headlight connector is somewhat melted (see picture)and I didn’t notice this earlier so I thought the 12v may have lost connection due to this connector.
>> 
>> The lights do work, but when I see melted plastic and then no power to the temp/gas gauge, I start to wonder.
>> 
>> I had an intermittent gas gauge. My 2nd used replacement gas gauge pegged all the way to full and also the temp gauge pegged all the way to super hot when the engine was cold.
>> 
>> The third used gas gauge powered up with 5v on a bench test, but when I pot it all together, all of a sudden no power. Both gauges are slumped all the way to the left. I have used light switches but if there is no direct link, then I won’t worry about the light switch.
>> 
>> BTW, melted terminal is black wire in the corner of the connector. Maybe this is another problem (bulkhead?)..
>> 
>> 300ly,
>> Mark Lindahl
>> 
>> 
> 
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