Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

If oil and gas work, instrument regulator & fuse are OK. Remove the wire from sender and ground it while someone is watching the gauge. If it starts to move toward hot, gauge and wire are OK and problem is sender or ground to sender. If no movement, then wire or gauge. Don't leave the wire grounded longer than it takes to have gauge move to hot.

Senders are a failure item & all the vendors have new. Don't know offhand of a proven aftermarket replacement sender available locally but have an idea of one. Specs at least look like a possibility. We need 90-100 ohms cold and 10 or so hot. This one is good hot, but not sure on cold. IIRC, someone might have tried one already but if you want to try as well, it is an Echlin TS 6464 from Napa at about $12.

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I had the same problem. Dwight Heinmuller sells one that works. After two tries with other new units, Dwight's was the only one that worked on my 56.

Jerry

I have the opposite problem. My temperature gauge is always stuck on hot. The car did overheat badly once, could that damage the sensor. If not, does it mean I have a short?

Yes, it could have baked the sensor which just works based on resistance to ground. Could be fried open or closed (not sure which way is hot).

Actually is it stuck on HOT even when the ignition is off? If so, then you have a gauge problem itself.

If it jumps right to hot when you turn the ignition on, then you probably have a sensor problem.

If we are speaking of your signature or posting name car, believe the temp gauge is entirely mechanical on the 46-7 Clipper. There is a thin metal tube protected with spirally wound armor between the gauge and a sensing bulb in L rear corner of head. If the engine overheated, it is possible the bulb or gauge was overpressurized and damaged. It is also possible if someone tried to remove the sensor and it was as stuck as they frequently are, the tube might have been kinked or broken or sensor could have been damaged.

The needle should rest at cold so it is possible something has either bound the needle or probably more likely the bourdon tube in the gauge has been stretched and damaged.

Look for any damage or sharp bends in the tube. Chances are the assembly will have to be removed and repaired. There are some how-to instructions on repair and replacing the bulb/tube by soldering in pieces from a modern unit. Some have had luck with the procedure and there are instrument companies that specialize in the repair as well

Oh yes...sorry, forgot that the earlier types are not electrical.

Thanks. You are correct that my 1946 packard temperature gauge is mechanical. I do not see any obvious bends or kinks in the cable. The gauge is stuck on hot even when key is turned off. I guess my next step is to find the instructions for repairing you mentioned.