Temp Gauge Bouncing all over?

[sawtooth4x4]

What is the sensor part number i need for the Temp Gauge. Mine just started randomly bouncing all over the place.

I know there are two on the thermostat housing. Just not sure if its the blue one or orange one.

[Sea Aych]

Before you start replacing sensors, pull your cluster and tighten/clean the nut behind the actual gauge. It's the grounding point and if it's not making proper contact/is dirty, it can cause funny bounding issues.
Had the issue on mine, and when that didn't fix it i just replaced the gauge itself and all was well.

[sawtooth4x4]

would this be the reason keep blowing fuses every other week for the dash lights?

I removed some previous owners hack alarm system last weekend.

[Sea Aych]

would this be the reason keep blowing fuses every other week for the dash lights?

I removed some previous owners hack alarm system last weekend.

Don't think those two are related - most likely due to some residual wiring from that alarm system, i think. Anyone want to chime in on this? i'm not 100% sure about the fuses

[jlevie]

I agree Sea Aych, the bouncing gauge is probably a cluster problem.

The fuse blowing is either excessive load on the dash light circuit or a wiring problem.

[ringmeister81]

I had the bouncing temp gauge issue all winter. Changed t-stat, flushed coolant, changed both temp sensor and sender... Nothing fixed it... Until... I cleaned the engine to chassis ground. Make sure there the contact points on the wire and the body are clean to bare metal and you will be surprised. Mine was filthy, covered in leaking power steering fluid. Now the car runs like a dream, and no more bouncing temp gauge.

[sawtooth4x4]

good idea

didn't think of that. the lower end of the engine was leaking from the head drain pipe. i'll clean that up some more.