temp gauge only slightly moves
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Senior User
Joined: May 2006
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temp gauge only slightly moves
Hey, I was hoping for some advice on diagnosing my temp gauge problem. The gauge comes up after the truck warms up but only a little bit, no matter how long it runs. The truck is an '82 f100 with a 302 and 3-speed if that matters. Thanks in advance!
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
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From: Virginia
You have two options; Borrow a infared heat gun or buy a aftermarket gauge and mount it under the dash. You never know, the factory gauge may be correct if your thermostat is stuck open or something like that.
My 1980 would be running about 190 degrees when the needle was at the "O" in normal. I personally would buy a aftermarket gauge and forget the factory one, I like a real gauge with numbers on it.
My 1980 would be running about 190 degrees when the needle was at the "O" in normal. I personally would buy a aftermarket gauge and forget the factory one, I like a real gauge with numbers on it.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
You can troubleshoot your factory gauge a bit. Disconnect the wire going to the sender and ground it on the engine. With the key on the gauge should peg in a few seconds. If it doesn't the gauge, wiring, or instrument cluster voltage regulator is bad. If it does peg, then either the sending unit is bad or, as Dave said, your truck is running cold.
I have both the factory and an aftermarket gauge, and my factory gauge points at C when the engine is at about 160 degrees. And, as Dave's does, points at O when it warms up to 190, where it should be.
I have both the factory and an aftermarket gauge, and my factory gauge points at C when the engine is at about 160 degrees. And, as Dave's does, points at O when it warms up to 190, where it should be.
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