Bouncing 1st Gen Temp Gage?

I see this problem going back several years, but in no thread does the problem appear solved.

My temp gage used to stick at cold until I "tapped" the dash, then it would spring to life. After a few months of this, the "tap" renedered it permanently inoperable - now sits at cold.

I see a lot of folks tried to replace just abut everything downstream from the cluster, but I suspect it is IN the cluster.

Before I take the dash apart, has anyone actually SOLVED this issue?

Is there a connector that could loosen or is everything pretty solidly connected behind the cluster. I ask because I would rather not tear down the dash if I am going to find a bunch of locked-in wiring.

Please, no guesses - every thread on this topic discusses all sorts of dead-end solutions. I am interested to learn of someones solution.

Thanks in advance.

 

I wish I could help you.

I will offer that the factory gauge is rediculously inaccurate. By the time you actually get to the hot zone, its often too late.

Many of us opt for SGII or something similar to give us real time numbers.

 

I found on my 2000 Tacoma that the nuts that hold the gauge to the rest of the gauge cluster came loose. I tightened them and it went back to normal operation. Mine was stuck at halfway (the last temp is was on I'm guessing or there was some electrical contact but the voltage way way off).

It does require removing the cluster from the dash and some dissassembly to see the nuts. They are electrical contact so I did not use any thread lock for fear of voltage loss/high resistance.

 

^^This^^

I know it doesn't solve your problem but real #'s are a confidence builder.

 

the connectors in the back are pretty solid - they're clipped on. I would do what the other guy suggested and check the screws/nuts/bolts.

 

Thanks for all the good info.

Question about the scangage - is it plug and play on a 2000?

I think this is probably the way to go...