fake gauge
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New User
Joined: Sep 2021
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fake gauge
For those of you that don't know. Ford decided to put in fake oil pressure gauges on some trucks. I have a 2004 F150 FX 4x4 extended cab. In the process of doing the phaser fix I discovered the oil pressure sender is merely a switch and that nice gauge on your dash will ALWAYS be in the "happy zone" as long as that switch is closed. I added a second gauge attached to the same pressure port with a tee (you need the stupid switch for the ECM) and ran the line to the drivers door sill near the E brake petal that tells me the real story.
not happy with Ford about that.
Keshka
not happy with Ford about that.
Keshka
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,932
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been that way for over 20 years... 7 psi will close the switch and light goes off. Under 7 psi and the light comes on... Works for 99% of the people. Some have added a mechanical gauge if you want to see the exact pressure.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
Likes: 1,082
From: St Louis
About 30 years now...Ain't exactly news.... I know the 92 Explorer was this way.
Probably got tired of dealing with owners who thought they knew how an oil pressure gauge worked (but didn't) so they converted it to a mechanical idiot light.
Probably got tired of dealing with owners who thought they knew how an oil pressure gauge worked (but didn't) so they converted it to a mechanical idiot light.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 353
Likes: 115
Most of the gauges are just idiot gauges, voltmeter, oil pressure, even temperature just move at a preprogrammed rate and stay there until something goes wrong. Speedo, tach and fuel gauge are the only real gauges. I just use a scan gauge to monitor the things that need to be monitored, unfortunately it does not measure oil pressure.
People preferred gauges to idiot lights so mother ford compromised and gave us idiot gauges.
People preferred gauges to idiot lights so mother ford compromised and gave us idiot gauges.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 353
Likes: 115
On my '05 the coolant temp is not real. I can read anywhere from 160 to 210 on the scan gauge and the dash gauge never moves from straight up and down in the middle. Working it hard the engines temps go up to 210ish and the dash gauge never moves, going down the other side of the mountain under coast or light load and it's still the same.
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Hmmmm.....I have not tracked that down yet but I can tell you on my '04 when it starts in the morning ....gauge says under 100 and if it runs low on coolant gauge says "stop now or else!" (grin)
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
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Just to pile on, the altimeter is also fake. If there are no numbers to scale the gauge, it’s a fake gauge.
The fuel gauge moves every so often. You get about four gallons at empty. It’s there to get you to a gas station before it’s too late.
The fuel gauge moves every so often. You get about four gallons at empty. It’s there to get you to a gas station before it’s too late.
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One of the other bad things ford did was to do away with the Schrader valve on the fuel rail . As much fuel problems that the fpdm caused it would have been real handy .
The plastic tensioners on the timing chains have killed many engines because of poor gaskets , we are putting the old type steel ratcheting ones back in with no seals to blow . Non ratcheting ones don't help until oil pressure comes up on every start. That can lead to chain whip /jumping time .
Management /accountants are not about quality same as Boeing became and caused planes to nosedive ..Management is at fault by letting Toyotas have better quality, unions bear some responsibility also .
The plastic tensioners on the timing chains have killed many engines because of poor gaskets , we are putting the old type steel ratcheting ones back in with no seals to blow . Non ratcheting ones don't help until oil pressure comes up on every start. That can lead to chain whip /jumping time .
Management /accountants are not about quality same as Boeing became and caused planes to nosedive ..Management is at fault by letting Toyotas have better quality, unions bear some responsibility also .
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