Temperature gauge problems.

[236572J]

I had the dash out the other day and as I was putting it back in, the temp gauge bezel and glass fell out. I removed the rest of the gauge and put it back together, refitted it and thought that that was it.
When I drove the car today, no indicators, brake lights, temp or fuel gauge etc. The 15 amp fuse had blown. Fixed that but temp gauge not working. Removed dash and found one of the 2 green wires had come off. Fitted it and it blew the fuse again. Had not noted which of the two wires went to which spade connection on the temp gauge, (Doh!). Reversed the wires and provided the light bulb isn't fitted, it works correctly. If the gauge light fitting is in - the gauge goes right over to the right (with the engine cool - and probably even cold). Clearly when the gauge is earthed thought the gauge light, the reading goes off the scale. I tested for continuity there is between the 2 spade terminals or between either terminal and the gauge body.

Please:-
Is the gauge defective?
Are there any checks that I can make?
Should there be continuity all over the gauge (as there seems to be), please? I wonder if there is a breakdown in insulation on the terminals from the spade terminals into the gauge body.
Thank you in advance for any contributions to fix this.

[Danny]

Hi, Your voltage stabiliser which is fitted to the back of the rev counter may have become disconnected or gone faulty. If fuses are blowing then I think the wires have come off and are earthing.

Danny

[236572J]

thank you for your thoughts on this, Danny. I do appreciate it. I think that I have discovered the problem. When I took the gauge out, I tightened the "nuts" that hold the spade terminals and in doing so, I think that it must have pulled something inside closer to the gauge body. In the process, it must have brought that close enough to contact the body. Once the instrument light (which earths the gauge) is fitted, the gauge goes straight over to max hot. Ease off the spade terminal "nuts' and it insulates the body again and it works as it should.
Thank you again.