2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Westach EGT Guage from Geno's

[surfbeetle]

A few years ago, I installed the WESTACH - 2" COMBO GAUGE - HIGH OUTPUT - BOOST/EGT from Geno's. On Saturday, the EGT side went dead, today on my way to work, it reads lower than it would normally read. I visually inspected the EGT sender, meaning it is still installed into the exhaust manifold. I did not remove the sender so I can't say what it looks like inside of there. I plan to open up the dash and see if there's a loose wire and to check the wiring to make sure there's no chaffing or shorting. Has anyone else had a similar experience with this guage?

 

[Joe Mc]

Have same thing now for almost 8 years - knock on wood - no problems.

 

[surfbeetle]

Well I pulled the dash cover off and made sure that the wires were not chaffed or otherwise damaged. All was fine. I checked the sensor wires and made sure the contacts weren't dirty at the gauge as well as the extension harness that goes to the sensor. Everything was okay. The gauge works fine now, but when I turn off the key, the EGT needle will stay reading what ever temp it was on before turning off the key. This does not seem right to me, it makes me wonder if it is draining the battery while sitting there. Unfortunately, I can't remember if this was normal behavior for the gauge or not. So I ask, does this seem normal?

thanks

 

[Joe G.]

That's normal. The way a K type thermocouple works is that the bi-metal end of it makes a very low voltage that changes depending on temp. The gauge measures that voltage to move the needle. The heat is still there when you turn off the engine so the needle does not drop until the heat does. Notice that the only battery voltage to the gauge is used for the light.

 

[surfbeetle]

Okay, that makes sense. I was concerned because in addition to the voltage for the light, there is power running to the guage for the boost side and I didn't know how it is internally wired.