1999 E350 Cools Too Well?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 454
Maybe you just need to repair the temperature gauge. The sending element is a resistor that changes with temperature. You can find the resistance/temperature relationship with a Google search. The temperature gauge measure a change in voltage as the resistance changes. The cluster on your van is relatively simple and the temperature signal is likely not getting to the cluster due to a broken wire or bad connector.
You can find wiring diagrams to troubleshoot the signal here:
https://charm.li/Ford%20Truck/
See the sticky post about the cluster anatomy at the top of the van subforum.
You can find wiring diagrams to troubleshoot the signal here:
https://charm.li/Ford%20Truck/
See the sticky post about the cluster anatomy at the top of the van subforum.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,548
Likes: 2,668
From: Near Salt Lake City
I think there has been a misunderstanding. I have never at any point had trouble with the heater; it has always worked great.
Thanks for the clarification on the Fail Safe Thermostat. I was not familiar with those, and had to look it up. Now I see what you’re talking about there. Yes, this van has the bottle. I’ll try raising the front to see if it burps.
Thanks for the clarification on the Fail Safe Thermostat. I was not familiar with those, and had to look it up. Now I see what you’re talking about there. Yes, this van has the bottle. I’ll try raising the front to see if it burps.
That means low or no heat as a byproduct
If you have good heat, you have a indicating issue
Thermostat staying closed until the 25 minute mark? What?
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4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Yesterday, I installed an aftermarket digital coolant temp gauge. And it seems to indicate that everything is working normally. As one would expect, coolant temp starts rising steadily from ambient right after start-up. It eventually reaches 191°, then holds steady there.
What was throwing me off is that the lower radiator hose never gets hot; in fact, it never gets more than luke warm. This is counter to my many years of experience working on import vehicles. I am now assuming that this is due to the fact that this thing has a HUGE radiator, I’m operating it with no load, and the fan spins all the time (even if not in “lock up” mode).
Yes, 20 minutes (or more) to thermostat opening. Keep in mind that this is at idle, in ambient temps below freezing, and with the heater fan on high (pulling heat out of the system) starting at about the 10 minute mark.
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4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Ok, just to close the loop on this discussion, in case someone finds the info useful in the future:
I loaded up the truck (to 14,000 lbs GVW, as it turns out, 2,500 over it’s rated max of 11,500) and drove it 3200 miles to Alaska (from Colorado). Ran at 70-75 mph nearly the entire way, except on the frost-heaved sections of the Alaska Highway, where it’s far to rough for that. The digital coolant temp gauge that I installed would go up to about 185°f after several minutes of driving and stay there most of the time. Pulling steep hills at high RPM in 2nd gear would see the temp rising rapidly to about 200-205°, and then it would start dropping down to about 185° again. I’m assuming this was due to the thermostat opening a bit wider, but having a slight lag. I had plenty of heat, even with the Alaska winter temps. In fact, I usually had the fan on low, and the temp selector at about the middle position.
So as far as I am concerned, no cooling system problem; just a misinterpretation on my part.
I loaded up the truck (to 14,000 lbs GVW, as it turns out, 2,500 over it’s rated max of 11,500) and drove it 3200 miles to Alaska (from Colorado). Ran at 70-75 mph nearly the entire way, except on the frost-heaved sections of the Alaska Highway, where it’s far to rough for that. The digital coolant temp gauge that I installed would go up to about 185°f after several minutes of driving and stay there most of the time. Pulling steep hills at high RPM in 2nd gear would see the temp rising rapidly to about 200-205°, and then it would start dropping down to about 185° again. I’m assuming this was due to the thermostat opening a bit wider, but having a slight lag. I had plenty of heat, even with the Alaska winter temps. In fact, I usually had the fan on low, and the temp selector at about the middle position.
So as far as I am concerned, no cooling system problem; just a misinterpretation on my part.
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4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I also meant to report that I averaged about 9.3 mpg. I was pretty happy with that, given the load and the speeds.
A Death Valley run would indeed be a good test, but my plan is to sell the truck soon. I bought it specifically for this trip, and now that job is done.
A Death Valley run would indeed be a good test, but my plan is to sell the truck soon. I bought it specifically for this trip, and now that job is done.
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