My engine temperature light is on but my temperature gauge is in the normal range. The top pipe to the radiator is hot as is the radiator core on top. Is this something I should be worried about or is the light coming on for no reason? Thanks

 

I'm confused - do you have factory gauges or idiot lights? An aftermarket gauge? I ask because the trucks didn't come, as far as I know, with both an idiot light and a gauge.

 

I have an engine temp light with the glow plug and water in fuel lights. Its definitely stock.

 

Duh! A diesel. I don't know about them. Sorry.

 

Come on Gary couldn't you pick that up? Right in his description..."1984 F-250".
What more do you need?

 

Do you read lips? Yep. I'm slow. Old and slow - until I get that 408 built!

Ok, if the temp light works the way the idiot lights work on the gassers then it is just a temp sensor with a switch instead of a rheostat. IOW, it can as easily go wrong as the gauge itself. And, Eric, the gauges on these trucks are notorious liars. I recently trouble-shot a problem that the gauge reported only to find out there was no problem. But, since I'd already fried an engine in a different truck believing the gauge when it said there was no problem I wasn't going to ignore it.

So, what do I do? Install aftermarket gauges. They are reliable, especially the mechanical ones. But, short of that find someone with an infrared temp gun to check the temp of the hoses, radiator, thermostat housing, etc. And, the hoses should be hot, and I mean HOT. The highest temp most people can hold onto is 130 degrees, and the top hose should be more like 190 when the engine is up to temp. And the radiator should be close to that at the top and less at the bottom, with the bottom hose being the least hot - but even then it is going to be over 130 degrees in most cases.

 

Sorry for the confusion. My signature didn't load (I posted from my phone), otherwise I would have included more information.

I was on the way to take the truck for an alignment, and have had one thing after another keep me from getting it there/on the road period. Everything worked out fine though, I think the light was wrong but the gauge was correct. The top hose was hot after about a mile down the road when I noticed the temp light, as was the radiator. I will put a new sensor on my shopping list for now and look up an aftermarket gauge.

 

The sig helps a lot. Especially for old people, like me, who can't remember.

 

Does anyone know which of these is the one that hooks up to the Engine Temp light and which one goes to the gauge? Thanks.

BWD Engine Coolant Temperature Sender WT5058P: Buy the right Coolant Temperature Sensor at Advance Auto Parts
BWD Coolant Temperature Sender WT386P: Get the best Temperature Switch/Sender at Advance Auto Parts

 

The one that looks like this goes to the gauge, and the other goes to the light. The key is where that one says: