I have a 1983 F150 4X4 with a non working temperature gauge. What do I need to do to get it working? Also, do I need to push the gas before starting the truck to assist the automatic choke?

 

You probably need a new sensor for the gauge. Find the sensor(usually on the top front of the engine if you have a v8 and has a red/white or white/red wire) and with the key in run, engine off, take the wire off the sensor and touch it to good clean metal on the engine to ground it. The gauge should be full scale one direction. Then take the wire off the metal and let it hang in the air, and the gauge should swing full scale the opposite direction. If it passes this test, the gauge and the wiring are good, and the sensor is bad.

If you buy a new sensor, make sure you do not use thread tape on it, and if you think you need sealer, put very little on just a few threads. The threads need to have good contact to the engine for the gauge to work.

 

Thank you for the advise. Unfortunately, I'm an idiot. There are many white and red wires on the top of the engine. In addition, I'm not sure what the sensor looks like. Any ideas where I could find a picture to make it easier?

 

I can't find a picture. It should be located up near the distributor in the front top area of the engine(if you have a v8). You can go to autozone's site and pretend to buy a new one, and they may have a picture of what you are buying.

 

Thank you Franklin 2. I took the truck to Advance Auto and the employees not only sold me the correct parts, but also showed where they go. It took all of twenty minutes to switch the sensor and sender. Thanks again for your advise.