Long story short: tried a cluster swap (from 97 explorer to 96 ranger) and wound up with temp gauge and other issues. Tried swapping the resistor from the original gauge to the new (junkyard) one, which DID fix the temp gauge problem, but several other issues with the junkyard cluster became too much for me to deal with. Tried swapping the resistor back to the original gauge, but the wire broke too close to the resistor to solder, so not repairable.

The original resistor is 92 ohm. The closest thing I can find is 100 ohm. I am thinking of using this to replace the 92 ohm.

My thinking is that a higher value resistor will result in a lower temp reading, so re-setting the needle would be all that is necessary to give a semi-accurate reading.

Thoughts or opinions?

Thanks!

 

Either special order a 92 ohm 2% 1/2W resistor from Mouser Electronics or stop by Radio Shack and see if they have catalog numbers 55047994 (1.2K ohm resistor) and 55049152 (100 ohm resistor) in stock. If so, wire these two resistors in parallel (equals 92.3 ohms total) then solder in place of the original 92 ohm resistor.

 

Thanks, Rev!

Without a doubt, this is the correct way to do the repair, and I recommend anyone that has time and resources to do it this way.

I needed the truck on the road, so I used the 100 ohm resistor. As I suspected, the gauge reads a little low, but still rises into the 'normal' range when fully warmed up. Its not perfect, but definitely 'close enough' in my truck. Resetting the needle would correct the low reading, which I might do when I pull the cluster (again) to replace bulbs.

Thanks again!