Engine Temp light stuck on
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 190
Likes: 2
From: Racine County
Engine Temp light stuck on
I took my truck in recently to have a transmission and coolant flush in because I just did not have the time to do so and when I picked it up the other day the warning light for engine temp was on as soon as I fired it up and would not go off even after running for an hour. Temps were good as the gauge works but I'm just wondering why the light refuses to turn off. Any ideas? It's an 85 F-250 with 6.9 and C-6.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 190
Likes: 2
From: Racine County
Sorry I asked....? Anyways the gauge works just fine as it will cover the full range from cool to operating, I just found it interesting that as soon as the truck is started the light comes on even after sitting for multiple days now.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 514
From: Edmond, OK
Sorry. I fat fingered something and later edited it out so that's why I added the emoji to my post above. 
I added an AutoMeter coolant temp sensor to my 6.9l IDI and put the temperature sender between cylinders 6 and 8. I wouldn't drive the truck if the Engine OverTemp light illuminates. You can get a cheapie aftermarket gauge to double check the engine temperature. Even HF has a digital IR thermometer that would be better than nothing:
https://www.harborfreight.com/121-in...ter-63985.html
I added an AutoMeter coolant temp sensor to my 6.9l IDI and put the temperature sender between cylinders 6 and 8. I wouldn't drive the truck if the Engine OverTemp light illuminates. You can get a cheapie aftermarket gauge to double check the engine temperature. Even HF has a digital IR thermometer that would be better than nothing:
https://www.harborfreight.com/121-in...ter-63985.html
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 190
Likes: 2
From: Racine County
Yeah no worries, I was thinking about putting a coolant temp gauge, EGT gauge, and maybe another gauge from glow shift in here eventually. I just have to find a pod for the pillar that would fit. Any recommendations for the third gauge?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 5
Glowshift has some of the worst reviews..I wouldn't touch there stuff. I'd add a mechanical oil pressure gauge.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 514
From: Edmond, OK
I considered Glowshift gauges but decided on the AutoMeters. I have a 3" AutoMeter tachometer I bought nearly 20 years ago for my Oldsmobile and it still works great. Isspro is another supplier that's highly rated:
https://www.isspro.com/
Here's a thread on making your own gauge pods. This is how I installed the gauges in my truck. It's too easy:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...auge-pods.html
x2 on the oil pressure gauge. Either that or a boost gauge if you plan on adding a turbo.
https://www.isspro.com/
Here's a thread on making your own gauge pods. This is how I installed the gauges in my truck. It's too easy:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...auge-pods.html
x2 on the oil pressure gauge. Either that or a boost gauge if you plan on adding a turbo.
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Scope Wizard
Joined: May 2019
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you can find a bunch of CAD files on either thingiverse or grabcad and print them or pretty easy to just roll your own by doing a Remix... that is IF you are into 3D printing.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
My guess is if the wire goes to ground it pegs the gauge. So the idiot light sender would be normally open. The sender for the temp gauge would have a variable resistance depending on the temperature.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 190
Likes: 2
From: Racine County
Ok, what is interesting is that last night as I drove for about 1.5hrs at some point it just turned off. Not sure why or how but it turned off and hasn't come back on yet so my best guess would be a short somewhere......
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 514
From: Edmond, OK
Does the Engine OverTemp light still cycle when you start the truck? If not, you know the circuit died. Even if it does cycle I suggest you clean the area around the sender thoroughly. I'm not sure if you can get new temperature senders. You might check here:
Truck Parts & Truck Accessories for Chevy, GMC, Ford & Dodge Trucks
Truck Parts & Truck Accessories for Chevy, GMC, Ford & Dodge Trucks
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,562
Likes: 5,600
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
whenever i clean the engine on my 88 the overheat idiot light will come on and stay on until the sending unit dries out. usually takes two three days.
i keep saying i am going to change the sender, but then forget to do it.
i keep saying i am going to change the sender, but then forget to do it.
Trailering
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
If you take a look at the picture above, you'll note two temperature senders. One is for the gauge, and one is for the idiot light. Your idiot light sender is broken. Happened to my '88 one time when it overheated and the light came on, the sender 'stuck' or something and never turned off. I ended up unplugging the sender until I swapped it out a few days later. Its possible the wire is shorting out as well, but check the sender.
My guess is if the wire goes to ground it pegs the gauge. So the idiot light sender would be normally open. The sender for the temp gauge would have a variable resistance depending on the temperature.
My guess is if the wire goes to ground it pegs the gauge. So the idiot light sender would be normally open. The sender for the temp gauge would have a variable resistance depending on the temperature.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
No idea... I probably got it at Autozone and probably just had them look it up in store. Slim chance I have the old one or box or receipt in garage, but no time to dig through and find it
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