1989 chevrolet k1500 temp gauge issue

I have a 1989 chevrolet k1500 with the 4.3 L engine. My truck has the old style gauges (doesnt have the needles, not sure what they are called). anyways, my temperature gauge only seems to work once in awhile. it will bounce all over the place, sometimes not work at all, and then work fine. any ideas what could be wrong with this?

Reply to
thirdeye
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Thermostat and/or sensor going bad. Bad ground.

Reply to
curmudgeon

Thermostat is brand new. I did replace the sensor before but it was probably 5 years now. if it is a bad ground, where should i start checking?

Reply to
thirdeye

Sorry to say even new thermostats can be bad right out of the box. Think about what it cost, and you'll understand how that can be so. But if you want to assume it's good - and the upper radiator hose gets very hot after running awhile - then it has to be either the sensor, the guage or the wiring between the two. If you don't know how to test circuits and electrical items with a volt-ohm meter, you'll need to find someone who does.

Reply to
curmudgeon

say if there is a bad ground/connection between the sensor and the gauge. seems like it would be a difficult undertaking to get that working again.

Reply to
thirdeye

Could you please explain how a bad thermostat could case this:

Al

Reply to
Big Al

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