coolant temp sensor

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Nov 27, 2000 | 09:06 AM

bjoern

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Tuned

Joined: Nov 2000

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From: houston, texas (now Berli

coolant temp sensor

The temp gauge of my 1988 F-150, 302 5.0l V8 just moves about 1/4'' when the engine is warming up and barely reaches the 'normal' range. I tried to check the gauge by both by shortening the two wires in the coolant temp sensor plug and by grounding each wire to the engine. However, with the key 'on' the gauge never moved a bit. Shouldn't it at least move into the position it moves to when the engine is warm? What did I do wrong? Was my connaction too bad when I grounded the wires?

Nov 27, 2000 | 09:41 AM

PaulL1

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Joined: Feb 2000

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coolant temp sensor

The problem is that you are grounding the wires for the computer CTS not for the gauge. Look for a single wire connector and then supply ground to it. The gauge probably isnt your problem,most likely your thermostat is stuck open.

Nov 27, 2000 | 09:59 AM

bjoern

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From: houston, texas (now Berli

coolant temp sensor

Ah, that'd make sense. I thought the wire for the gauge would also come from the CTS. I'll have a look for a single wire, but roughly where could that be? Do I have to look for the engine temp sensor? I know some models have several temp sensors, but I haven't found out if mine has one or more, yet. I'll also get a new thermostat, that's always a good idea. Gotta change one of the hoses soon anyway.
Thanks a lot!

Nov 27, 2000 | 09:04 PM

mrlaserboy

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From: St. Paul, MN

coolant temp sensor

There are two temperature related items in your truck. One is the Coolant Temperature Sensor used for determining engine temp and that one is located on the front of the block in the area of the upper radiator hose where it goes into the block. The second one is the temperature sender which is only for the temperature gauge on your dash and this one is on the driver's side of the block in the area of the fuel injectors, right behind the distributor I believe.

Dustin Siebert
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Nov 28, 2000 | 09:04 AM

utsa01

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coolant temp sensor

To put your mind at ease, about a year ago many people here posted their temp readings after a similar question was asked.

The result: at least 10 trucks normally have the readings you have...1/4 - 1/2" off of C and stays there. Some said it will move a little higher in the summer w/AC on...but not much. Its just a characteristic of the Ford F series temp gauge.

My '90 F150 300-6 hardly moves from bottom of the normal range winter or summer w/o using the AC. Same readings since purchase brand new in '91.

Danny

Nov 28, 2000 | 09:59 AM

bjoern

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From: houston, texas (now Berli

coolant temp sensor

utsa01,

thanks for the info! Had I had the slightest suspicion it might be normal, I would have checked the archives just to make sure. Gonna do that right now and see what else is normal about that temp gauge...

Thanks again,

Bjoern