Thanks to those who answered my last call for help.

another issue with the temp gauge. I have ford mkii engine and temp sensor. coupled to dolomite temp gauge. it goes off the scale, but engine seems to run normal temp

Any ideas on a cause

Ford used a different resistance sender from everybody else. You need a special small sized sender fit the Ford head and match your gauge --- better still dump it and get a capillary gauge.

Yup. The sensor needs to have the same resistance scale as the dial.

You'll need an appropriate dolomite sensor and (in all likelyhood) a thread adaptor.

^^^^ wot they say.

I have ford sendr but non ford temp gauge so chose a resitor so the needle sits at N when engine is at opertaing temp.

Although not entirely accurate, I think this will work as the needl will move above N if water temp goes ballistic - I'd like to think this will happen prior to the engine going bang.

you could try that or else would need electronics to adjust between the two (I've done this to use defender gauges with series tank senders -notice the plural - twin underseat tanks!)

not only that, but ford also made their temp senders match their gauges - then decided to make most of their gauges use a different scale!!!!!

although the Capri and Sierra shared the same engine ( pinto ), and the same "looking" temp sender, the were infact different and gave different readings!

nice!

Also worth mentioning that you need to have a voltage stabilser in series with it and it needs to be a smiths one to match the gauge.
Paul.

To all those who sent in a response

Thanks!!

Indicator problem solved, it was the wattage of the bulbs
temp guage I now know what needs doing.