C1 Temp and Ammeter Gages

[Mark R.]

Help. I have just finished my restoration, and all is VERY well. Except two gages don't work. Can someone help - please. Temp Gage - I have used a new loom and sender unit, but the gage does not move. Is there a way I can test it? Or should I buy a cheap aftermarket one and prove the wiring and sender? Ammeter - I have a new loom, battery, generater, and volt regulator, and the battery is being charged. I checked that with a volt meter, when the the engine is running. But with the engine running the gage showns a drain on the battery rather than it being charged. That is with all electrics off? When I turn the lights on, the dial moves to the +ve! And thats the wrong way. What am I missing, what is wrong? The wires to the ammeter are according to the wiring diagram. Help would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark

[Donald O.]

Re: C1 Temp and Ammeter Gages

Ammeter
The original factory wiring diagrams were printed with the ammeter leads reversed. Just switch them.

Temp gauge
ground the temp gauge wier/connector to ground, it should read Cold,
apply 12vdc to the same connector and it should peg Hot. (of course, I could have those reversed) If you get the gauge to swing in both directions, then the fault could be the sending unit.

Don

[Dennis A.]

Re: C1 Temp and Ammeter Gages

Mark....
If you are using the AIM wiring diagram, The Ammeter wiring is incorrect and backwards. The NCRS 1953-1972 wirng book has the correction. Basicly; the "black "wire goes to the terminal near the steering column, the "red" wires go to the passenger side terminal.
Make sure the Temp-sender is grounded...do not use teflon tape on the threads.
Hope this helps.

[John H.]

Re: C1 Temp and Ammeter Gages

With the key "on", remove the wire connector at the sending unit, and the gauge should peg to full cold; then ground the terminal in that connector to the engine, and the gauge should peg to full hot. That will verify the gauge operation and isolate the issue to the sending unit.