Extra resistors for Temp Gauge

hockeydudeMember

Made an interesting discovery today. Directly behind the water temp gauge has 2 extra resistors attached inline with one another leading into the water temp gauge.
Judging by the wiring it appears to be added on at a later time by a previous owner.

My car has the standard resistor in the sending line on the engine bay side. The sensor was located in the surge tank.

My only guess is that someone tried to calibrate the gauge with the actually water temp. Would be a little difficult with the temp sensor in the surge tank I would think though.

Does anyone know if this was a popular modification? Or is there a better answer to the reason for the extra resistors?

Thanks,
Dave

5/20/085:58 PM

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comp2Member

I thought I had read a while back DeTomaso was getting a lot of slack for the high temps. At some point he put in resisters and people quit complaining. Yes? No?

What are the colors on the color band (resistor value)?

5/20/086:17 PM

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jffrMember

quote:
Originally posted by HockeyDude:
Made an interesting discovery today. Directly behind the water temp gauge has 2 extra resistors attached inline with one another leading into the water temp gauge.
Judging by the wiring it appears to be added on at a later time by a previous owner.

My car has the standard resistor in the sending line on the engine bay side. The sensor was located in the surge tank.

My only guess is that someone tried to calibrate the gauge with the actually water temp. Would be a little difficult with the temp sensor in the surge tank I would think though.

Does anyone know if this was a popular modification? Or is there a better answer to the reason for the extra resistors?

Thanks,
Dave

Ford put a resistor in the line to get the temperature gauge to read lower. Some owners may have added a second one to get the gauge more accurate. The gauge and sending unit are mis-matched and they will never be 100% accurate at all temperatures.

The sending unit in the surge tank is where the factory installed it, but it does not respond very well in that location. Many cars have it relocated to the block.

5/21/084:20 AM

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captaintobeysMember

I found a adjustable rheostat in my circuit. You can set the temp gauge to read anything you want. I moved the sensor to the block and checked temps with a infrared gun to see if I was close. I had another car to compare with.

5/21/086:24 AM

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