Gauges: ?

1975 CJ5

Well dagnabbit, the beast runs but seems like every gauge is not working.

Oil pressure and Temp kinda work, sorta. Temp just maxes out most the time, both will wiggle a lot and settle at new spots if tapped. The running temp is about 185-190 degrees, real stable, so I know the gauge is flat out wrong.

New sender for the temp gauge was installed, no change. Checked the wire from the gauge back through the firewall, no ground that I could see.

Gas gauge doesn't work, just reads full. New sender has been installed. I'm not too worried about that, I have 15 in the main tank, 5 I think under the drivers seat, and 5 in the spare can.

Haven't checked the speedo yet, no chance to drive it.

So any ideas for me to check? Do I need to look at the mouse nest behind the dash? Maybe replace the gauges? Any websites that have a photo essay on checking/replacing gauges?

Would I be crazy for driving w/o temp and oil pressure gauges working?

 

Wow! At the bare minimum I'd get that temp guage working. Is this a daily driver?

 

Nope, just occasional 'sunny day' driving and maybe an off road excursion here and there.

 

Its very common for niether of these gauges to be working. They operate on a regulated 5v signal. Its very easy to burn out the constant voltage regulator when working on or around the gauge (at any point in the last 30+ years), and if one blows the other is blown. I'd definitly say replace the gauges. I usually hit the junkyard. I once found an exact complete working speedometer assembly on a newspaper box truck made by AMC.
This is helpful:Gauge Layout

 

Is there a preferred aftermarket gauges that folks like? Ones that doesn't have the 'easy to burn out' issues and that fits in the stock dash?

 

To retain the stock look of the Intermediates, you really don't have any options for the speedometer cluster. Omix-Ada makes a replacement that is available from a number of sources for about a hundred bucks and it looks pretty good. Unfortunately, when they designed the reproduction they REVERSED the swing of the fuel and temp gauges ! I don't know of any aftermarket supplier that carries the 'correct' cluster.

As far as the original oil pressure and voltmeter, there are a number of replacement units on the market. I believe Stewart Warner was the original supplier to AMC and theirs are still available, but their quality has suffered since they moved production from Chicago to Mexico quite a while ago.

Autometer is probably the most popular for replacement gauges. Nice clean look and a good selection of either mechanical or electric in oil pressure, water temperature and tachometers.

As usual with the older jeeps, it is imperative that you find a good ground for whatever gauge you choose.

 

Just bought a replacement fuel and temp sensor from 4wd hardware, cost about 90 after S/H. Still haven't worked out all of the bugs thought. x2 on the grounds, must have a grood ground to work and be careful installing them. Check the metal strip that goes from the fuel guage to the temp guage. If it reads 12v, the regualtor is shot. Search guages, there is a ton of info here that helped me out with this problem.

 

John, I had an issue with my temp guage, tried everything I could think of as far as sending units, terminal connections, etc. The last I tried fixed the problem. I unplugged the wiring harness connector, cleaned the contacts as best I could, plugged it back together & viola, it worked. Worth a try.