1957 Thunderbird temperature gauge working backwards

H

Hotrodhomework

Junior Member
First off I replace the wiring harness in this car because it had shorted out. I do not know if the temperature gage work correctly or not from everything I’ve read online the temperature gauge works by going through the Voltage regulator and when you cut the key off it shows full hot When you ground the sending unit wire it goes full cold. When you hook the sending unit which is a TS4 standard products. The gauge starts all the way at Hot as a motor warms up it movers toward the cold. Most of the cars I work on when you ground the wire going to sending unit it shows full hot. Is it just me or does this one work backwards. And if it does I am I using the wrong sending unit
 
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The pointer rests at the full hot mark with the key off. It should go to full cold when you turn the key on with a cold engine and climb to where ever it's going to be as the engine warms up. These are King-Seeley gauges and work on a different principle from other brands.
 
file:///C:/Users/Tech%20ER/Downloads/show_pdf%20(1).pdf

This explanation refers to 1950/1951 however Ford used them throughout the 1950s/early 1960s. They were also used by other makes.
 
Put this in your search engine
1950-51 king-seeley electric gauges 235 - Restore Cars
and open the first option for the download
 
Hotrodhomework said:
... I’ve read online the temperature gauge works by going through the Voltage regulator ...
Click to expand...
Just in case... a '57 Thunderbird wiring diagram.
http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring%20diagrams/Ford/MWire5765-195.jpg

The voltage regulator mentioned is a small part that mounts to the wiring side of the dashboard.
(photo attached)
It powers only the Fuel and Temp gauges. Power for this small regulator comes from the Accessory terminal of the ignition switch. There should be 3 Black with Green stripe wires connected to the regulator, one from the ignition switch and the other two going to each of the gauges.
 

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Hotrodhomework said:
The fuel gauge works as should
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The fuel gauge works as it should only the temperature gauge works backwards I can take the sending unit and ground the outside of it and hook the sanding wire to it and put it in ice water and it reads hot I can take the unit out of the ice water and put a heat gun to it and it reads cold.
 
When I or someone else rewires a complete vehicle or even partially if the circuit problem is related to that replacement/repair action, it's time to isolate the circuit wiring in the problem system and see if they all have continuity and are properly connected. If some other circuit got crossed over due to insulation damage or just a simple mistake then it should become evident. I check for continuity of each wire and then I check for any sign of continuity to ground or to each other. Stuff happens now and then and makes it more work to find & correct it. Murphy likes to get his 2 cents in now and then.

Also make sure all original ground pathways are in place & clean for the applicable system.

The old KS gauges work with a heater coil on a bi-metallic strip. The strip bends under heat & deflects the meter. If it deflects the meter when it's not supposed to then it's getting current from some where else or the sender is not right somehow.
 
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Dobie Gillis thanks sent an email to them Rotor wrench had two more people go in behind me and check my wiring hopefully we got Murphy in a headlock. I checked all my grounds with a DVM had to clean a few but made no difference in the gauge. It just flat works backwards The voltage regulator on the back of the instrument panel can only be hooked up one way it has male and female terminals and on top of the first fuel gauge operates correctly
 
While I'm not a fan of the chopper style voltage regulators, they will regulate the current somewhat to the systems they serve. The sending units are also breaker units to regulate current so having two of them in a circuit makes for a lot of weird meter movements at times. They were like this from new though so there is no point bashing their system now.

I only use good used or NOS temperature sending units in the King Seeley systems. The new ones are mostly crap.
 
Here’s what I am being told They do not make the correct sending unit for the 57 Thunderbird anymore every parts book recommends a TS4 which does work backwards I’m being told that I have to send the gauge off and have the movement changed and calibrated to the sending unit that the gauge restoration people use. I think I have talk to almost everybody in the country that has something to do with Tbirds.
 
Welcome to the wonderful world of crap restoration parts. Do not feel alone. Someone likely has a usable used one out there. They should be the same for all the Ford vehicles in that range. Fuel sending units are also hard to find and folks want a mint for working units.
 
Hotrodhomework said:
Here’s what I am being told They do not make the correct sending unit for the 57 Thunderbird anymore every parts book recommends a TS4 which does work backwards I’m being told that I have to send the gauge off and have the movement changed and calibrated to the sending unit that the gauge restoration people use. I think I have talk to almost everybody in the country that has something to do with Tbirds.
Click to expand...


SEARCH B7A 10884-A and find NOS. Ensure the seller is not trying to trick you and it comes in original FORD packaging.
 
Hotrodhomework said:
... I am being told They do not make the correct sending unit for the 57 Thunderbird anymore ...
Click to expand...
KULTULZ said:
SEARCH B7A 10884-A and find NOS. Ensure the seller is not trying to trick you and it comes in original FORD packaging.
Click to expand...
Hotrodhomework,
Unless you object to ebay,
here's a search link... a few under $30, a couple about $20 & also 'best offer'.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=B7A+10884-A+ford+
.
 
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