thermostat problem

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Feb 7, 2004 | 05:33 PM

Brian66

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From: Ky

thermostat problem

I recently had my thermostat gauge not respond, so I assumed that I needed to replace the thermostat. I did that, and it worked on and off for a few days. replaced it again, and now the gauge isn't responding at all. Any thoughts on troubleshooting?

Any easy way to test the dash gauge? How does it read the temp from the engine?

Appreciate any help.......

Feb 7, 2004 | 08:03 PM

barry

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From: Connecticut

Locate the sending unit . Take the wire off it and ground it while someone watches in the cab. The key must be in the "on" position. If it responds and goes all the way over, the sending unit is bad. The V8's had it in the front of the intake and the in line 6's was either in the side of the block or head. Also make sure the wire is good, no kinks or breaks in it. Don't hold it to ground too long, just enough to make it jump. Is this the only guage giving problems? If all the guages were acting up, it would be the Constant voltage reg on the back of the dash. Sounds like a bad sender to me.....

Barry

Feb 7, 2004 | 08:17 PM

Brian66

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From: Ky

I'll look for it tommorow morning - thanks

Feb 8, 2004 | 07:25 PM

Brian66

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Barry - There were two wires leading to what I think is the sending unit - one on the end with a slip-on type connector, and another thicker wire that screws into the side. I took the one on the end off and grounded it - it moved some but not all the way over. This is the only gauge not working so maybe this is it. I'm going to try replacing this to see if it works. What are these two wires for?

Feb 9, 2004 | 01:58 PM

barry

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When you took that wire off and grounded it, just the temp guage responded? Which engine do you have? That would help. When you ground it to the block, it should go all the way to hot. If it doesn't, you may have a weak guage or a bad contact thru it. If it has 2 wires, there should be another one like it in the block or head. Try to find it and disconnect that one and try again.

Barry

Feb 9, 2004 | 08:54 PM

Brian66

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From: Ky

whoops!! wrong sender - I was messing with the oil pressure sender and broke it off in the block. Had to come home during lunch and back it out and re-tap. Troubleshooting is tough when your're driving it every day.

I have a 300 in line 6. I found a loose hanging wire when I was messing with it today - it had a small 90 degree type conector on the end, but I can't find where it goes - I'll keep looking tommorow but I'm still not sure what I'm looking for.

Feb 9, 2004 | 09:00 PM

barry

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It's made of brass and has a single stud sticking out of it. It has a hexagon shape that you can put a 3/4 socket or wrench on it. It has to be in the vacinity of the wire that you found. Try grounding that wire like the other one and watch the guage. Take the wire and stratch it out and the sender should be very close by. keep us posted.

Barry