Whacked out gauges

[70charger2006]

Just got my restoration complete on my "70 a couple weeks ago and I have been having "issues" with the gauges ever since. This is what I have been dealing with.

1st: During gauge restoration (by Performance Car Graphics), they found my original voltage limiter was good so it was left alone. All gauges were calibrated and the whole nine yards.

2nd: After car was first fired up noticed the temp gauge was reading 230* instead of 180* (verified engine was in fact at 180*), fuel gauge was reading 1/2 tank less then what was in it. Replaced temp and fuel sending units with no change. Voltage was whacked so I changed the Voltage Limiter on instrument cluster. After that the gauges seemed to be a lot more accurate.

3rd: During a drive, temp, fuel and oil gauges all maxed out (noticed this at a stop light). Once I started driving again, the temp gauge dropped all the way to the bottom. Checked voltage at the temp sender and voltage was at about 12V. So I pulled the new voltage limiter and tested voltage on it. It was not converting the 12V to 5V like it should. Replaced that limiter with another new one. Turned on power and the fuel gauge seemed accurate.

4th: Took it out today and realized that the temp gauge will not move now. Unfortunately I don't have time to do any troubleshooting since I am going on vacation tomorrow for about a week.


So this is why the subject line is what it is.



ANY IDEAS???


Oh, and to make things worse, about every other time I start my car, I have a fuel leak. Seems like it is always the hose above the separator.

[Dans 68]

With the voltage limiter putting 12 volts to the gauges you most likely burned them out. This was happening when they maxed out. The filament wire used in these gauges will burn up quickly under a 12 volt load. I'm surprised that the fuel gauge still works. What limiter did you use?

You will need to take the gauges out of the cluster and check them...it will be obvious if they are fried. Get them rebuilt (http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,67620.0.html), calibrate and re-install.

Is the fuel leak back at the tank or up at the carb?

Dan