How can I test my guages to see if their any good?

[ryan04]

I've got a 91 capri 3.0L, I've got RPM, Speedo, Volt, Oil, and Temperature guages. The only one that works is the volt meter. The speedo I know doesn't work cause some door knob who used to own the boat broke the plasket nipple thing that the air hose connects to on the leg. But as for the rest of them, is there any way to trouble shoot them before I start throwing money at them. My fuses are all good, connections are tight, and they all light up but don't work. Any idea's? Thanks boys.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: How can I test my guages to see if their any good?

first thing to do is test that you have ignition switched power at the back of the gauge. The wire is usually purple.
If they have power at the IGN post, go to each individual sending unit, disconnect the wire and touch it briefly to a good ground while watching the gauge. If the needle jumps, test the sender. If nothing happens, go back under the dash and quickly ground the SND terminal on the back of the gauge while viewing the gauge(or a helper views). If the needle jumps, check your wiring, if nothing happens, replace the gauge.