1989 E-150 5.8 conversion van 90,000 miles

My heat gage rides on the high end of the gage. I bought a mechanical temp gage to install. Then I got to thinking, will disconnecting and removing the electrical temp sender affect the vehicle's computer?

I have read on this site where the original stock Gage might not be very accurate.
I have only had this van for three weeks and the former owner (an elderly good frend) said it has always run hot.
I just replaced a thermostat and a fan clutch new plugs and wires. The waterpump and rad were replaced a few years back.
We are already in three didgets here in the northwest Phoenix area.
Thanks for your help,

 

OBD-1 computer has two temp units, one for the computer (Sensor) and one for the gauge (Sender) Your better off getting a new Sender for the gauge first. Then later install the mech gauge as a (stand alone) without unhooking things........

 

If you see no signs of actual overheating, then don't worry about it. These gauges are crap from the start.

If you are driving it, and it's over 100 and it's not blowing water out, you're OK.

Do you hear the fan engaging? It should be pretty loud, even in the cab. It may not actually be getting hot enough to engage. Realize that those Ford gauges cost them about 10 cents each. My 88 7.5 always showed high too, but it wasn't real I came to find out.

 

Do not worry about you gauge, my 89 Mustang has an Autometer Water temp gauge added in a different spot and it comes up more slowly than the idiot needle gauge in the dash which is still connected.

The 2 only agree the motor is warm after a few min. I have the Autometer needle gauges added on because the factory idiot gauges are way to slow to tell me I have a problem.

 

Thanks for the reply fellows.
I changed the temp sender and the gage came down.
I would still like to install a mechanical gage down the line if I keep the van.
Now an oil leak is my next challenge.
I can't remember how long it's been since I had a vehicle with the dimmer switch on the floor

 

Glad your all set! atleast the starter isn't on the floor......LOL

 

FWIW, on my e350, 195* reads somewhere between the M-L range of the gage, depending on what direction the wind is blowing (or some other factor we can't identify). once after i installed the gage, i saw a temp of 210 according to my autometer, and the stock gage was about one letter past the L. so i said "what the L", nothing to worry about