I am trying to start my car for the first time in 5 years. I have installed a new, GM factory temp gauge in the dash, and the only part of the cooling system that is not brand new, including all sensors, is the upper rad hose, which was replaced before I tore the car down..

when I try to crank my car, the temp gauge moves with each attempt to fire.
it starts at 100 and after the fourth or fifth crank its pointing straight up where 300 would be.

i dont think thats normal.....Do i have a bad ground??
any suggestions???

 

what does it do once the car is running? sounds normal. If the sender is grounded out, the gauge will max out and stay there

 

The gauge is grounded through the ignition switch during crank. It's normal.

The gauge should max immediately anytime you start (crank) the engine and then return to whatever temperature the engine is at the time.

It shouldn't slowly climb (during crank) and obviously, it shouldn't stay maxed if the engine is cold.

 

The car doesnt run yet, I seem to have no fuel pressure after installing the Walbro 255 pump...

but thanks for the info guys, sounds like I was worried about nothing..