Temperature sender- where is it???
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Temperature sender- where is it???
Hi,
I have a 95 f150, 2wd with a 5 speed. My temperature gauge is not working and I bought a new temperature sender unit. My problem is that I have no idea where this thing is. Can anyone give me an idea of where to find it? Pictures would be helpful or a diagram.
Thanks in advance for any help.
I have a 95 f150, 2wd with a 5 speed. My temperature gauge is not working and I bought a new temperature sender unit. My problem is that I have no idea where this thing is. Can anyone give me an idea of where to find it? Pictures would be helpful or a diagram.
Thanks in advance for any help.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2012
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Wow,
Thanks for the fast reply. I replaced the sensor yesterday and about 3 quarts of coolant came out before I put the new sensor in. I put more coolant in the overflow tank and test drove the truck. The temp gauge was working well but started reading hot. I got about a mile before I stopped and the needle got all the way to the L in Normal. I realized I should have put coolant in the radiator instead of the overflow tank. I filled it back up, but now the gauge only moves up a little bit (like 1/8 of an inch). So I am wondering if I could have burned out the sensor- but that does not quite make sense to me because it did not get anywhere near the red, and certainly these things have to be designed to wprk through the whole range of temperatures. Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts.
Let me know.
Thanks for the fast reply. I replaced the sensor yesterday and about 3 quarts of coolant came out before I put the new sensor in. I put more coolant in the overflow tank and test drove the truck. The temp gauge was working well but started reading hot. I got about a mile before I stopped and the needle got all the way to the L in Normal. I realized I should have put coolant in the radiator instead of the overflow tank. I filled it back up, but now the gauge only moves up a little bit (like 1/8 of an inch). So I am wondering if I could have burned out the sensor- but that does not quite make sense to me because it did not get anywhere near the red, and certainly these things have to be designed to wprk through the whole range of temperatures. Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts.
Let me know.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Boise, Idaho
It's possible that you have a large air bubble in your coolant system, especially since coolant came out of the back of the engine block.
I'd start it with the radiator cap off and let it slowly warm up (to be sure the thermostat opens), and then top it off in the radiator until it's full. Driving up on a ramp and getting the front tires higher than the rear tires can help too since it'll make the air bubbles work towards the front of the engine.
On another note, it's not always the gauges that make the needles move to different locations. There's the voltage regulator on the backside of the instrument panel. All the Ford gauges were designed to work on 5v, but the vehicles are a 12v system. So, the voltage regulator cuts the voltage (or at least simulates) down to a 5v signal. If they start going out, your gauges will occasionally get 12v signals and read super high.
I'd start it with the radiator cap off and let it slowly warm up (to be sure the thermostat opens), and then top it off in the radiator until it's full. Driving up on a ramp and getting the front tires higher than the rear tires can help too since it'll make the air bubbles work towards the front of the engine.
On another note, it's not always the gauges that make the needles move to different locations. There's the voltage regulator on the backside of the instrument panel. All the Ford gauges were designed to work on 5v, but the vehicles are a 12v system. So, the voltage regulator cuts the voltage (or at least simulates) down to a 5v signal. If they start going out, your gauges will occasionally get 12v signals and read super high.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
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Hey,
You have just discovered what I would call a PITA location on our motors.
It's really inconvenient. It makes me wonder why they couldn't have put it in the head or up towards the front of the block.
AbandonedBronco has given you great advice.
Park the truck on an uphill slope and pop the cap off of the radiator. Crank it, and when it hits operating temperature and your thermostat opens, it'll start flowing. Then you can pour in antifreeze/coolant until the water level stops draining and your system is full. Use a funnel and don't pop the radiator cap after the radiator gets hot. It'll shoot extremely hot liquid all over you where the heat in the motor causes pressure. If you do take the cap off when its hot, wear gloves and put a rag over the radiator cap when you take it off.
That is the BEST way to do it. Period.
You have just discovered what I would call a PITA location on our motors.
It's really inconvenient. It makes me wonder why they couldn't have put it in the head or up towards the front of the block.
AbandonedBronco has given you great advice.
Park the truck on an uphill slope and pop the cap off of the radiator. Crank it, and when it hits operating temperature and your thermostat opens, it'll start flowing. Then you can pour in antifreeze/coolant until the water level stops draining and your system is full. Use a funnel and don't pop the radiator cap after the radiator gets hot. It'll shoot extremely hot liquid all over you where the heat in the motor causes pressure. If you do take the cap off when its hot, wear gloves and put a rag over the radiator cap when you take it off.
That is the BEST way to do it. Period.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
Just lift the handle and it relieves all the pressure in the system into the overflow tank. Once it stops, you can safely remove the cap on a hot engine.
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