Testing my temp gauge

[guy48065]

My temperature gauge hardly moves--if at all. Before I put this up for the winter I'd like to test the sensor & gauge.
Can I just remove the sensor and put it in hot water? I'm guessing there will be water behind that sensor (open system). Just let it run into the bilge?

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, check the ends of the wire at teh gauge and sender (tan wire)
check the ground at the gauge

most likely its corrosion on the terminals

then check resistance of the sender. should be a 230-30 ohm sender (most in the US are)

 

[Grub54891]

You can test it in a pot of hot water without running the motor. Be sure to hook up a go ground and keep the connector on the top.