I've seen minor differences from one gauge temp sender to another, like
having several good used ones to play with .....like a needle's width
difference between one sender and another.

you can try adding a resistor  - wild guess 1K ohm.   I have used 2.2K ohm
resistors on Subaru gauge senders to VW gauge I think.  The 1K ohm is purely
a wild guess.

I always think about the voltage stabilizer on the back of the instrument
cluster in any case like this.

I almost think I have more faith in good used original ones than new ones.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Guzyk" <paullist08@GUZYK.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2010 4:57 PM
Subject: adding resister to center 1.9 coolant temp gauge?

> My 1.9 style dash coolant temp sender died.
>
> I replaced it with a new one.   Now the gauge reads high, about 65%-70%
> when normal operating temperature instead of 50% (LED dead center) like
> the old one.
>
> I'm thinking of adding a resister in series with the new temp sensor to
> get the needle back in the middle.
>
> Anyone seen this before?
> What value resister/pot did you add?