How could I have burned out a temperature guage?

[Corellian Corvette]

Having radiator problems and after pressure testing I realized I needed to have the unit re-cored.

Before I did the repair, I started the car after replacing the engine-side harness the temp guage was working.

Just put the radiator back in today and started the car (still having problems), but no reading on the temp guage.

Took the cluster out, tested the guage - dead.

How could this be? How do you kill a temp guage like that?

[Plumcrazy]

How did you test the gauge?

[Corellian Corvette]

Simple 9v battery test.

But I doubt that would have done it, since the guage worked one time once the cluster was installed in the car.

[Ghoste]

I'm guessing all the other guages are good and you're sure the sender is good and that your 9v battery had enough juice to move the guage if it was good?  Did you short the guage out in any way?  All the new wiring is good?  That is, it isn't pinched off anywhere or rubbing onsomething?

[Corellian Corvette]

Well, basically nothing works on the dash side since my wiring is so screwed up. I have new dash harness that's going in this weekend. Hopefully that prevents burnout of another one...

[Ghoste]

It could be anything then.  You are going to have to go one component at a time and get it all working to isolate it.  Do you know if your voltage regulator for the guages is still good?