Temp gauge - works but won't reset with key off

[Erik H.]

Yesterday I noticed something unusual about the temperature gauge in my '63. With the key in and power on and the engine cold, the gauge needle goes to below 100 like it should. With the engine warmed up, the gauge also works fine, traveling up to a hair below 180. My issue is that when I shut off the car and remove the key the gauge needle doesn't drop back to below 100 - it stays at the last reading, and when the engine is cold with the key off the gauge reads about 140. Again, with the key in and power on, the gauge will go back to below 100 if the engine is cold, or appropriately display the correct temp if the engine is warm. I also tested the gauge with a 60 Ohm resistor, and it is working correctly from the sender. So, it seems that with power applied the gauge works properly.

With the key off, and hence no power to the temp gauge, shouldn't the needle go to below 100 by itself? Maybe I'm going crazy, but I always thought it used to. Any ideas on the fix? Thanks!

[Timothy B.]

Re: Temp gauge - works but won't reset with key off

Erik,

I recall on my 63 the gauge will stay where it is reading until the key is turned on again, I don't think there is anything wrong with the gauge on your car.

[Erik H.]

Re: Temp gauge - works but won't reset with key off

Excellent - thanks Tim! I must be going crazy - but I'd rather be crazy and not have to fix the gauge than be sane with it broken!

[Jon R.]

Re: Temp gauge - works but won't reset with key off

Erik,

I thought what you were describing sounded unusual, so I checked mine. It operates exactly the same way! I never noticed it before either!

Regards,

Jon

[Ken A.]

Re: Temp gauge - works but won't reset with key off

Yesterday I noticed something unusual about the temperature gauge in my '63. With the key in and power on and the engine cold, the gauge needle goes to below 100 like it should. With the engine warmed up, the gauge also works fine, traveling up to a hair below 180. My issue is that when I shut off the car and remove the key the gauge needle doesn't drop back to below 100 - it stays at the last reading, and when the engine is cold with the key off the gauge reads about 140. Again, with the key in and power on, the gauge will go back to below 100 if the engine is cold, or appropriately display the correct temp if the engine is warm. I also tested the gauge with a 60 Ohm resistor, and it is working correctly from the sender. So, it seems that with power applied the gauge works properly.

With the key off, and hence no power to the temp gauge, shouldn't the needle go to below 100 by itself? Maybe I'm going crazy, but I always thought it used to. Any ideas on the fix? Thanks!

All 63 up gauges that are electric were "free to wander" once the key was turned to the off position