Topic: Did I mess up my gauges?
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Carson City, NV - USA
Joined: 12/4/2013
Posts: 239
Vette(s): Numbers matching 1972 350 4 speed, silver pewter body with blue interior
I've got the center console broke down. Going to replace lens's and repaint all the black trim parts. I noticed after everything was hanging out in the breeze that a couple of the gauges needles are in the wrong place. Like the temp gauge is far to the right, gas gauge is off from what it read when the car was running....so will these gauges "reset" when the car is started or did I inadvertently disturb then and like a clock, I need to put the hands back into a proper place before buttoning up? I don't think I touched them during tear down.
My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?

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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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The needles can move like that if jostling them around with no juice to them. They should return to normal with the first turn of the key. Just gotta be genital with them while they're out.


Joel Adams
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Former Member
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Carson City, NV - USA
Joined: 12/4/2013
Posts: 239
Vette(s): Numbers matching 1972 350 4 speed, silver pewter body with blue interior
10-4 Thanks
My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?

I would be concerned about the temp gauge being pegged all the way over. Usually at least on my 68 the new gauge I ordered was just over 100, 110 and the old gauge was at 100. So I don't think the temp will fluctuate much.
The gas gauge on the 68 has to do with the ground at the gas tank and sending unit. Where as you can ground a wire and the gauge will go all the way over or take the ground off the sending unit and it will go in the opposite direction. Not sure on that but I would have to go back to my notes to be exact. Usually goes to empty with the power cut off.
I have gone through it all on the 68, and when in doubt just get another gauge at $50.00 approximately.
Good luck.
Former Member
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Carson City, NV - USA
Joined: 12/4/2013
Posts: 239
Vette(s): Numbers matching 1972 350 4 speed, silver pewter body with blue interior
Honestly, I didn't notice where they parked themselves at rest (power off). They worked fine...no issues. I was just sitting there with the thing hanging from its harness with the lens plate off and noticed the temp gauge was far right....I'm 95% sure I hadn't touched the needles or brushed them up against anything. I was super careful with the entire deconstruction. But ya never know, I could have hooked one of the rags I had used to cover the soft parts around these sharp parts. Guess I'll find out right?
My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?

in Forum: C3 Electrical
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