I toasted my fuel/temp gauges.

When I was rewiring my '73 CJ5, (complete new wiring harness) I broke my fuel gauge. Total mistake on my part. Who is a good supplier for replacement gauges? If I can find a set from my FLAPS, but backwards on the readings (Empty where Full was, Hot where Cold was) are they wired the same?
Thanks, Mike.

 

If you are looking for the gage that is in the speedometer head you can get the temp/gas from 4wd hardware. They sell both as a set. I have seen them several places. If you are looking for a stand alone replacement gas gage you do need to match it to the sending unit. I dont have my TSM with me but I will try to look it um today and post the specks.

 

Thanks, LarryD & Sparky...
I intend to stay with 'original' and not a stand-alone, main reason besides looks, is I don't want to change out the sender unit. I was just curious on the hook-up of a 'backwards' unit, since on original fuel gauge, (looking at back of speedo cluster) far left connection is fuel sender, lower middle connection is jumper to temp, right connection is 12 volt supply. I just wanted to be sure the connections were the same order. (So I don't mess up another one! )
FYI, if anyone is working on your fuel/temp gauges, don't let the posts turn while taking them in or out.

 

I fried my same gauges. After replacing my speedometer cable, I realized the speedometer was shot too. A new assembly is a smidge over $100. I screwed around with gauges forever and just couldn't get them to work. The temp would pin when I turned the jeep on and the fuel would read between 3/4 of a tank and full at all times. It moved towards full when you put gas in it though. Went to the junkyard where there was a scrambler and 2 late cj5's. I pulled the assembly out of a scrambler and tried to get the temp and fuel to pin by giving it 12 volts and grounding the sender wire. They didn't move, just like mine at home. I pulled one out of the CJ5, tested them and they both shot to hot and full. Told the guy I'll buy them as is and not guarenteed. 40 bucks for the speedometer assembly and tach out of the scrambler. Problem resolved.

 

You have to ground the speedometer assembly when testing the gauges. Otherwise you can fry your sending units if not your gauges. Without a ground on the speedo housing the current regulator is not working so you will fry your gauges.

Maybe this articals will help you understand the CJ gauges better:
http://users.adelphia.net/~john.strenk/Gauge web page/basic_troubleshooting_for_cj_gau.htm

And this is how you can do a quick check of the gauges:
http://users.adelphia.net/~john.strenk/Gauge web page/CJSpeedometerGaugeQuickTest.htm

And some specs on the gauges.
http://users.adelphia.net/~john.strenk/Gauge web page/QuickFacts.htm

These cover the later CJ gauges but all CJ gauges work simular. I don't have the specks for early CJ gauges.

Chances are the gauges you found that pinned the needle might still work OK if properly grounded.

 

Thanks, John... great write-ups, very detailed. I will be checking grounds, etc. tonight, but I know I messed up my gauge when I rewired. I literally twisted the internals apart by not seeing that the post was turning when trying to remove the nut. OOPS!
Strider380, you replaced the speedo ***'bly out of a late CJ5 into a M38A1? I guess the 'Check Engine' light would be the only major difference?
Thanks guys... Mike.

 

No, I put it in my 74 cj5. The only difference I noticed was a 4 wheel drive indicator and there where more socket holes that I think are for backlighting the display. I am not sure if the amp light was there either.

 

Oh yeah, I remember seeing that in another post. You mentioned not having your sig. showing it. Hmmm, having a 4wd indicator, that might be do-able.

 

Your probably right, I believe that there is an extra hole for a bulb between the fuel and temp gauge. I thinkk an 'emergency' or 4WD light was added when the quadratec tranny came out in 76. It made a nice place for the 4WD indicator on a Dana 300 t-case. The amp light dissapeared about the same time.

 

nickmil, I'm just up the road from you, but I'm not familiar with the Portland auto salvage market. Do you have any particular places you like to 'shop'?
Thought I would try to find a working late model CJ5 speedo assembly and try to utilize the 4WD indicator, but everybody up here doesn't have it and wants to send me up to Snohomish.