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Strange temperature gage fluctuation

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Old Aug 31, 2013 | 06:13 PM
  #1  
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machinist91
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Strange temperature gage fluctuation

Hey everyone,

I've owned my '92 7.3 for six or seven months now and have loved it. It's a great truck. One issue that I've noticed is that when cruising down the road, the temp gage usually rests around the "n" or the "o" on "normal", which seems correct, however sometimes it will drop to just above the first line for a bit and then come back to where it should be. It does this pretty rapidly (all within a few seconds), maybe too rapidly for a real temperature change. I've never seen an engine cool down and then heat up that fast. Does this sound like a crummy factory temp gage or a sending unit? I would say thermostat, however it just seems like the water would be making 30 degree temperature changes in just a matter of a couple seconds, which doesn't seem possible.

I did flush the cooling system a few months ago, install a new copper/brass radiator, and fill it with fleetcharge. I didn't replace the thermostat, as I probably should have.

Thanks for any help,
Dan
 
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Old Sep 1, 2013 | 07:00 AM
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FORDF250HDXLT
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From: Mi'kma'ki
i suspect your right in that it is most likely a bad connection at the sending unit or it's failing Dan.
 
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Old Sep 1, 2013 | 10:41 PM
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Originally Posted by FORDF250HDXLT
i suspect your right in that it is most likely a bad connection at the sending unit or it's failing Dan.
Thanks, I think checking the connection out will be on my to do list tomorrow. Btw, nice truck .

Thanks,
Dan
 
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Old Sep 1, 2013 | 11:03 PM
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The one you want is around $10 the idi has 3 and it can be confusing which one theyre giving you. Mine was doing the same thing kinda, would just peg to hot and back to normal all within a few seconds. Then i noticed it was staying right on N when it was getting hot. Just picked up my new one yesterday, not as easy to get to as you would think, at least with serp.
 
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 09:46 AM
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^^^ What those guys said.

Here's a pic, courtesy Dave S:




https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post8025323
 
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Old Sep 2, 2013 | 11:45 AM
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check the ground at the back of the block to the firewall it can also make your gauges jump
 
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Old Sep 6, 2013 | 12:33 AM
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Sorry for the late response. I haven't had much of a chance to look at it yet, but this weekend it's on my to do list, once again. Thanks for all the help. I think this is the most helpful forum I've been a part of.

Dan
 
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