Griff,
Hmm, I just now realized what you were saying before.
If you connect a meter to the screw terminal of the sensor and the positive side of the battery, it will read 0-12v. That is what I originally thought you were suggesting. But now I think you were saying to connect the meter between the sensor and the sensor wire to the gauge (disconnected from the sensor).
If this connection reads more than 5v it is bypassing the voltage regulator which explains why the meter is maxing out. Actually, if it is reading more than 3 volts something is probably wrong.
Yes, I agree that is much easier than removing the instrument panel.
