Thermostat?
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,978
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From: Alvin, Texas.
If you get heat, the t-stat is fine.
I have the same issue....the gauge doesn't move much, but the truck is running fine. The guage might not be all that accurate even in top shape. Ford gauges normally aren't that good.
Look, you have a 4 cylinder. You aren't packing a PSD and towing 12,000 lb's as well. You will not get a lot of heat from a smaller engine AND that grille lets a lot of cooler fast moving air into the engine bay.
Last week, I did buy a new radiator cap and topped off the radiator (needed like 2.5 quarts) and the reservoir (needed almost the rest of the 1.5 qts in the jug) and the guage did move....the heater hoses were hot where they should have been, too.
I'm in Texas and my truck runs cool, going by the gauge. You're in MD.....way lousier winters over there.
Wait for summer and watch that gauge move up.
I have the same issue....the gauge doesn't move much, but the truck is running fine. The guage might not be all that accurate even in top shape. Ford gauges normally aren't that good.
Look, you have a 4 cylinder. You aren't packing a PSD and towing 12,000 lb's as well. You will not get a lot of heat from a smaller engine AND that grille lets a lot of cooler fast moving air into the engine bay.
Last week, I did buy a new radiator cap and topped off the radiator (needed like 2.5 quarts) and the reservoir (needed almost the rest of the 1.5 qts in the jug) and the guage did move....the heater hoses were hot where they should have been, too.
I'm in Texas and my truck runs cool, going by the gauge. You're in MD.....way lousier winters over there.
Wait for summer and watch that gauge move up.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 180
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From: Abingdon, MD
But it has been starting to warm up lately and it stays on cold. Even when it was snowing and extremely cold out, it atleast moved up to the middle. The thing blows heat very powerfully. Perhaps i'll try putting more anti-freze in the radiator. But even though i have the part, i might as well put it in. I can get my uncle to (which is a mechanic).
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 412
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From: St. Louis region
The sending unit will probably be mounted on the T-stat housing which should be at the end of the top radiator hose on the engine side. I used to own a chevy blazer (aka Crap) before I bought my ford and the sending unit on it was mounted on the intake manifold. It's not too hard to find even for a rookie mechanic. If you don't have any luck, just take it to autozone and they should be able to help you find where it's located at.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 143
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From: Central IN
The upper picture may be correct. The two locations in the lower picture are definitely not the coolant temperature sensor. Pull the wire off the sensor in the top picture and see if it matches the sensor you purchased.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 180
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From: Abingdon, MD
I took Delta's idea. I put the sending unit in there, looked identical to the one i took out, and put the new one in. Although it only screwed in 3/4 of what it should have. I went for a ride and the needle only moves tword hotter when i come to a stop. When i go again, it drops down to cold. But when it DOES go up tword hot, it only goes half as much as it used to. Any ideas?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 143
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From: Central IN
I would try the following things in this order.
1. Did you refill the cooling system? Low coolant can cause the sender to be erratic if the coolant doesn't cover the sensor at all times. I think this may be your problem now.
2. Replace the thermostat. That is also easy to do.
3. Replace the gauge. If you replace the gauge there is a web site that shows how to disassemble the dash.
1. Did you refill the cooling system? Low coolant can cause the sender to be erratic if the coolant doesn't cover the sensor at all times. I think this may be your problem now.
2. Replace the thermostat. That is also easy to do.
3. Replace the gauge. If you replace the gauge there is a web site that shows how to disassemble the dash.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 143
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From: Central IN
It is fine unless it is leaking. Did you check for leaks after the engine was hot? When you screwed it in, did it start and screw in easy? If you had to force it in you may have cross threaded it. If it's cross threaded it will probably leak.
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