Fake Engine Temp Gauge?
Fake Engine Temp Gauge?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,196
Likes: 10
From: Arizona
False....but.....FMC in their infinite wisdom severely damps the response of the gauge so by the time it moves very far from the middle the temperature has increased a bunch.
Same as the Transmission temperature gauge.
Here is a link to a test on the trans temp gauge.
www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/b_smoke13.htm
The oil pressure gauge however, is a glorified idiot light. It reads normal at any pressure at or above 7Psi. Once you see it drop its to late.
Hope this helps
Same as the Transmission temperature gauge.
Here is a link to a test on the trans temp gauge.
www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/b_smoke13.htm
The oil pressure gauge however, is a glorified idiot light. It reads normal at any pressure at or above 7Psi. Once you see it drop its to late.
Hope this helps
Last edited by blackhat620; Jul 2, 2004 at 12:32 AM.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
AutoJim (an OEM cooling engineer) has explained the operation of gauges very well.
Sorry if this hurts anyone's feelings, but most people are stupid. When they see the needle on a gauge move too much, they think that there is a problem. AutoJim has personal experience with this while at DCX. Replaced 1000s of perfectly good t-stats under warranty because on really hot days, the needle would move up from the bottom middle of the gauge to the top middle of the gauge. Maybe the width of the needle. Everyone filed warranty claims that there t-stat wasn't working right and that the engine was running too hot. DCX tested a bunch of the t-stats and found that they were working perfectly normally. Finally, DCX "dumbed up" the gauge and the warranty calims dropped to almost zero. No change in the t-stat.
So . . . .
The OEMs neuter the needle so that it only swings when you are outside the specified temp/pressure range. When you are within specs, the needle goes to the middle of the gauge and stays there. This cuts waaaaay down on warranty claims.
I don't like it, but I don't blame the OEMs.
Sorry if this hurts anyone's feelings, but most people are stupid. When they see the needle on a gauge move too much, they think that there is a problem. AutoJim has personal experience with this while at DCX. Replaced 1000s of perfectly good t-stats under warranty because on really hot days, the needle would move up from the bottom middle of the gauge to the top middle of the gauge. Maybe the width of the needle. Everyone filed warranty claims that there t-stat wasn't working right and that the engine was running too hot. DCX tested a bunch of the t-stats and found that they were working perfectly normally. Finally, DCX "dumbed up" the gauge and the warranty calims dropped to almost zero. No change in the t-stat.
So . . . .
The OEMs neuter the needle so that it only swings when you are outside the specified temp/pressure range. When you are within specs, the needle goes to the middle of the gauge and stays there. This cuts waaaaay down on warranty claims.
I don't like it, but I don't blame the OEMs.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,359
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Originally Posted by jschira
AutoJim (an OEM cooling engineer) has explained the operation of gauges very well.
Sorry if this hurts anyone's feelings, but most people are stupid. When they see the needle on a gauge move too much, they think that there is a problem. AutoJim has personal experience with this while at DCX. Replaced 1000s of perfectly good t-stats under warranty because on really hot days, the needle would move up from the bottom middle of the gauge to the top middle of the gauge. Maybe the width of the needle. Everyone filed warranty claims that there t-stat wasn't working right and that the engine was running too hot. DCX tested a bunch of the t-stats and found that they were working perfectly normally. Finally, DCX "dumbed up" the gauge and the warranty calims dropped to almost zero. No change in the t-stat.
So . . . .
The OEMs neuter the needle so that it only swings when you are outside the specified temp/pressure range. When you are within specs, the needle goes to the middle of the gauge and stays there. This cuts waaaaay down on warranty claims.
I don't like it, but I don't blame the OEMs.
Sorry if this hurts anyone's feelings, but most people are stupid. When they see the needle on a gauge move too much, they think that there is a problem. AutoJim has personal experience with this while at DCX. Replaced 1000s of perfectly good t-stats under warranty because on really hot days, the needle would move up from the bottom middle of the gauge to the top middle of the gauge. Maybe the width of the needle. Everyone filed warranty claims that there t-stat wasn't working right and that the engine was running too hot. DCX tested a bunch of the t-stats and found that they were working perfectly normally. Finally, DCX "dumbed up" the gauge and the warranty calims dropped to almost zero. No change in the t-stat.
So . . . .
The OEMs neuter the needle so that it only swings when you are outside the specified temp/pressure range. When you are within specs, the needle goes to the middle of the gauge and stays there. This cuts waaaaay down on warranty claims.
I don't like it, but I don't blame the OEMs.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally Posted by Choctaw Bob
Same reasoning with making the oil pressure register normal at anything over 7 PSI. People were continually bringing in their car/truck for low oil pressure so Ford solved it some years back.
People want reassurance, not detailed information.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 1
From: Campbell, California
Engine temp gauge is real, but controlled by the PCM. See page 54 of the 6.0L Bible.
The oil pressure gauge, on the other hand, is a worthless piece of junk. An idiot light in the form of a gauge. See page 56 of the 6.0L Bible. In fact it's so worthless, it's not even connected to the PCM in any way, shape or form.
The oil pressure gauge, on the other hand, is a worthless piece of junk. An idiot light in the form of a gauge. See page 56 of the 6.0L Bible. In fact it's so worthless, it's not even connected to the PCM in any way, shape or form.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 20
From: Mansfield, TX USA
With Ford decontenting the (snip) out of the '04s, makes you wonder why they didn't try to save $2 and replace the gauge with a light.
I guess GM and Dodge have gauges and Ford figured that its gotta have one to compete.
I guess GM and Dodge have gauges and Ford figured that its gotta have one to compete.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by jschira
With Ford decontenting the (SNIP) out of the '04s, makes you wonder why they didn't try to save $2 and replace the gauge with a light.
I guess GM and Dodge have gauges and Ford figured that its gotta have one to compete.
I guess GM and Dodge have gauges and Ford figured that its gotta have one to compete.