gauge woes

ENTDOC · #1 (**permalink**) 09-15-2003, 06:35 PM

I have SW gauges and am using an EZ wiring harness(similiar to painless)I am getting no reading on my temp gauge at all.I did find a 1/4 to 3/8 adaptor so I could use the supplied SW sender.My oil pressure reading is excessive and this may be due to the wrong sender unit.Also I have a MSD ignition module so I ran the tacometer wire to the tach out outlet on the box but no signal. This is all driving me nuts;any help appreciated. chuck

aumoore · #2 (**permalink**) 09-15-2003, 07:31 PM

Chuck
I forgot to ask you on the phone the other night. Are the gauges grounded properly? I am running SW from Finish Line and no problems. Also make sure you do not use too much teflon tape on the sending units as they have to ground to the engine. Teflon tape can isolate the sending unit making it useless.

Also use a ohm meter to test continuity on you wiring harness.

I think the MSD needs a adapter module to work with certain tachometers. If I remember SW is one of them. I think my Mallory ignition box had dip switches for different types of tachometers.

TonyMadrid · #3 (**permalink**) 09-15-2003, 07:54 PM

Just had a problem with a SW Tach today. I'm running an MSD ignition system and when I read their manual it said that SW (voltage triggered) tachs require an adaptor. I called MSD techs and the guy I got said to wire the tach according to SW instructions.

Well their instructions call for grounding the neg terminal, run the positive to a switched ignition hot, and run the signal terminal to the negative side of the coil. Tried it and it didn't work. Called SW and their tech said that their tachs are compatible with MSD but instead of going to the neg terminal of the coil, send the signal terminal of the tach directly to the tach output on the side of the MSD ignition control box. Tried it and it works fine.

ENTDOC is correct about the grounding. Got to make sure that all of your gauges are properly grounded.

Good Luck

Tony

ENTDOC · #4 (**permalink**) 09-16-2003, 07:12 PM

Tony,that worked with the tach(I wonder why they said we needed an adaptor)Now if I could figure out the water temp problem.Ruble,I did remove the teflon tape but no change. chuck

aumoore · #5 (**permalink**) 09-16-2003, 07:37 PM

You did not switch the sending units for the water and oil temp did you? I think you can take the gauge out and test it with hot water and a 12V power source. Also you can check the gauge by grounding the wire to the block and see if it pegs out to the hot side of the gague.

Is your motor properly grounded to the chassis and the gauges need to be grounded to the chassis or engine.

No ground strap on the motor can cause many problems

ToyCollector · #6 (**permalink**) 09-16-2003, 07:57 PM

Chuck, which car you working on? Ruble's advice is right on.

aumoore · #7 (**permalink**) 09-16-2003, 09:23 PM

Maybe the Aluminum Kirkham is causing the Glass Hunter to cop and attitude and start acting up. Just like a woman does when she catches you looking at another woman.

My advise is to keep the Kirkham away from the Finished Hunter or she may start a Cobra fight(similar to womens mud wrestling except with no hair pulling)