Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Coolant temp sensor hookup?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 10, 2022 | 02:39 PM
  #46  
AuroraGirl's Avatar
AuroraGirl
Lead Driver
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 805
Originally Posted by Franklin2
I guess you already know on at least the 89-up (could even be the 87-up) most Ford oil pressure gauges are fake. All you have to do is look at your oil pressure sending unit. If it's a large round can, it's the real thing. If it's the smaller switch style, then it's a fake gauge. They put a resistor in the cluster circuit board with the correct resistance to make the gauge always read right in the middle for oil pressure. The only way the oil pressure gauge would drop is if the switch made contact because the oil pressure was less than 5 pounds oil pressure. Another great Ford idea. That shows you the value Ford gave their own cluster gauges for giving information.
Oh I thought we were talking temperature my bad, I hate the fake oil gauge tho, a 7psi fraud of shame. Probably wouldnt even work that well when it gets that low.. my opinion at least lol. There should be a dummy light if they wanted to be *****s about it
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2022 | 02:46 PM
  #47  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 2,446
Originally Posted by Franklin2
Another great Ford idea. That shows you the value Ford gave their own cluster gauges for giving information.
They did that because “The customer is always right.” People complained that the needle in the oil pressure gauge moved around too much so they installed a resistor on the circuit board so it didn’t move around so much. The needle goes to a set point based on the resistance and stops.

Originally Posted by AuroraGirl
Probably wouldnt even work that well when it gets that low.. my opinion at least lol.
They did. That’s what the red engine light or check gauges light is for.
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2022 | 04:45 PM
  #48  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,997
Likes: 2,743
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
They did that because “The customer is always right.” People complained that the needle in the oil pressure gauge moved around too much so they installed a resistor on the circuit board so it didn’t move around so much. The needle goes to a set point based on the resistance and stops.
You are exactly right. So much for the gauge giving any useful information.
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2022 | 07:42 PM
  #49  
AuroraGirl's Avatar
AuroraGirl
Lead Driver
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 805
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
They did that because “The customer is always right.” People complained that the needle in the oil pressure gauge moved around too much so they installed a resistor on the circuit board so it didn’t move around so much. The needle goes to a set point based on the resistance and stops.



They did. That’s what the red engine light or check gauges light is for.
Im saying that instead of the oil pressure gauge, there should be a dummy light,. I was implying that there shouldnt be a gauge for oil pressure since its not a gauge and there is a dummy light, i should have been more specific. I would like to have seen a ATF temp if they werent gonna use it lol . But of course that is forever ago now so cant change their choice to do that
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2022 | 08:35 PM
  #50  
BigBlue2's Avatar
BigBlue2
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,342
Likes: 1,248
Originally Posted by Jonnyuma
Mine reads at the W.
I might have it upside-down.
Yeah, right in the middle of LAWRON.
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2022 | 09:28 PM
  #51  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 2,446
Originally Posted by AuroraGirl
Im saying that instead of the oil pressure gauge, there should be a dummy light,. I was implying that there shouldnt be a gauge for oil pressure since its not a gauge and there is a dummy light, i should have been more specific. I would like to have seen a ATF temp if they werent gonna use it lol . But of course that is forever ago now so cant change their choice to do that
Customer complaints turned it into a dummy gauge. You can change it back into a functional gauge. That’s what I did on the ‘89.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2022 | 08:13 AM
  #52  
AuroraGirl's Avatar
AuroraGirl
Lead Driver
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 805
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
Customer complaints turned it into a dummy gauge. You can change it back into a functional gauge. That’s what I did on the ‘89.
you think even on a 96 tho? I figured that they didnt make the 92-96 have a normal gauge.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2022 | 01:29 PM
  #53  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 2,446
Originally Posted by AuroraGirl
you think even on a 96 tho? I figured that they didnt make the 92-96 have a normal gauge.
Same in-line resistor that you can bypass and then install a real sending unit.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Oct 11, 2022 | 01:31 PM
  #54  
Jonnyuma's Avatar
Jonnyuma
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 79
From: A dirty little town in OR
Well... I'm feeling pretty solid about my decision to run redundant gauges.

Too bad there's no good place to mount em.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2022 | 02:40 PM
  #55  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 2,446
Originally Posted by Jonnyuma
Well... I'm feeling pretty solid about my decision to run redundant gauges.

Too bad there's no good place to mount em.
My fuel gauge is very accurate: full is full and empty you better be looking to stop for gas. The voltage gauge is a real gauge. I converted the oil pressure gauge back to a real gauge and after having the truck for several years, I know where the coolant temp is when everything is good so I know when there is a problem. I see no reason to install aftermarket gauges but to each his own. Not only that but I don’t like the look of added on gauges.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2022 | 04:49 PM
  #56  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,997
Likes: 2,743
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
My fuel gauge is very accurate: full is full and empty you better be looking to stop for gas. The voltage gauge is a real gauge. I converted the oil pressure gauge back to a real gauge and after having the truck for several years, I know where the coolant temp is when everything is good so I know when there is a problem. I see no reason to install aftermarket gauges but to each his own. Not only that but I don’t like the look of added on gauges.
As long as your gauges read in the "normal" range, you should be good to go correct? Or do you start getting worried when your oil pressure gauge reads on the "O" or maybe the "N"?

When should you start worrying about your engine temp? As long as it's in the "normal" range? Or do you start getting worried when it's on the "L" or maybe the "A".

I guess that is why Ford made the dummy resistor and gauge. Too many people were complaining their oil pressure gauge was on the "N". Silly people, it's still in the "normal" range!
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2022 | 06:01 PM
  #57  
BigBlue2's Avatar
BigBlue2
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,342
Likes: 1,248
Instead of an aftermarket guage that slices up your knees get a laser thermometer and calibrate your stock guage.

Then use the same tool to check your BBQ temps.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2022 | 06:07 PM
  #58  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 2,446
Originally Posted by Franklin2
As long as your gauges read in the "normal" range, you should be good to go correct? Or do you start getting worried when your oil pressure gauge reads on the "O" or maybe the "N"?

When should you start worrying about your engine temp? As long as it's in the "normal" range? Or do you start getting worried when it's on the "L" or maybe the "A".

I guess that is why Ford made the dummy resistor and gauge. Too many people were complaining their oil pressure gauge was on the "N". Silly people, it's still in the "normal" range!
You’re dead set on making a mountain out of a mile hill about the OEM gauges. In your case, throw the factory cluster in the trash and build your own from aftermarket gauges.

Do you get worried when your oil pressure gauge reads 29# instead of 33#? How about when your temperature gauge reads 197° instead of 206°? Is it time to figure out what is going on?

You know as well as I do that you can tell from after years of driving your truck if something isn’t right. You don’t need a full sweep gauge with numbers to back that up. The factory gauge does that job just fine for me.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2022 | 07:02 PM
  #59  
AuroraGirl's Avatar
AuroraGirl
Lead Driver
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 805
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
You’re dead set on making a mountain out of a mile hill about the OEM gauges. In your case, throw the factory cluster in the trash and build your own from aftermarket gauges.

Do you get worried when your oil pressure gauge reads 29# instead of 33#? How about when your temperature gauge reads 197° instead of 206°? Is it time to figure out what is going on?

You know as well as I do that you can tell from after years of driving your truck if something isn’t right. You don’t need a full sweep gauge with numbers to back that up. The factory gauge does that job just fine for me.
I would be nice to have a range so it was clear what the realistic temp , pressure, etc range are, but its not the end of the world or anything. But hes definitely over worried. But since these gauges are not linear, the numbers couldnt be at just the front and end lol, youd need a middle to be able to know its not linear.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2022 | 07:27 PM
  #60  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,997
Likes: 2,743
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
I am not worried, I have aftermarket gauges in my vehicles. I just like making fun of people relying on the stock gauges to troubleshoot and monitor critical functions of their engines they care so much about. Go back and look at this thread and the debate on what is good on these gauges and all the different places everyone's factory gauge reads at. And this is not the only thread on this, there are about a dozen. Most of them start out "I changed my thermostat, my clutch fan, and my radiator, and my temperature gauge still reads to the right side".
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:41 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE