Temperature Gauge in 92 YJ 2.5 l - Can't figure it out

[spoons72]

My temp gauge never moves.  Replaced the coolant temp sending unit (at rear of block, driver's side).  The one that came out was cracked in the housing, figured it would fix my issue.

No luck.  Pulled out the cluster.  Used a volt meter on back of my cluster where gauge is.

Between + & -. I only get .03 volts.  Between T & - I also get around .03 volts.  I get the same reading right off the wire on the sensor.  I get over 12 when checking the battery gauge, so meter is working.

Should I be seeing more voltage or is my gauge malfunctioning?
 

[spoons72]

I figured it out.  The ribbon circuit in the back of the cluster had shorted out.  I couldn't see it until I removed the adapter plug and then removed the one brass screw that holds the assembly in place.

I soldered 2 wires to by pass the 2 shorts (the copper ribbon had melted along 2 traces, both a postive and ground), back in business!

[Tinkerer]

That's an interesting catch. Now why did the traces melt in the first place? Eeek!