Hi, I have a 94 Explorer, 207,000 miles, 4.0, auto, 4x4 with air.

My question is, what is the normal position of the temperature gauge supposed to be?

In winter, it warms up and stays around the "N" or "O" (in the word "NORMAL" on the gauge).

In the summer, it does the same unless I am running the air conditioner, especially in stop-and-go traffic. Then, it gets up to "M" or "A" and goes down a little when driving.

It really makes me nervous when towing, one time the air coming out of the vents got really hot!

I've replaced the thermostat, the radiator, the antifreeze, the temperature gauge sender, the fan, the fan clutch, the hoses and the belt. The only things that I can think are left are the air conditioner condenser and the water pump.

Any ideas?

 

I have a 93 4x2, same exact problem. I put a new radiator, fan clutch, and high performance water pump. That solved my problem, my truck stays between the "r" and the "m" even in the hot Texas heat. Check your radiator real good, mine was lodged with bugs and junk. It was just easier to replace it and the water pump since it was apart.

Good luck

Payed4

 

Another thing I would check is the gauge itself. Dash gauges can fluctuate with variations in the engine's electrical output, too.

 

I had the same problem with my 94. Went to the Ford dealership and they put a new thermostat in. Still the same problem. A year later was at the local Canadian Tire for a pre-winter check up and the mechanic told me the thermostat I had in was not the "high temperature" one. I believe he put in the 197 degree one, the highest you can get. After that, heat galore, and steady around the "M" in normal, summer and winter.

 

I have a 96 explorer 4x4 with a similar problem. My temp gauge never even gets to the N....winter or summer, unless its a hot day and i have the air on...then it will shoot to the m. Any thoughts from anybody?

 

Maybe your engine is electric

 

Skirydr your problem sounds like your thermostat has gone bad and is stuck open. Just replace the thermostat and you should be ok.

Chris

 

I would like to revive this thread for a moment. My temp indicator rides just to the left of the N. I can see it move back and forth and can get as high as the N, but seldom higher. I don't want to change anything, because after putting in a new radiator and water pump (leaking), and installing a transmission oil cooler, I have no pinging whatsoever. I am not sure this is temperature related, but I don't want to mess with a good thing.
I also have a KKM air cleaner and new transmission.

 

99 Explorer with 4.0, VIN X
getting a little over 10V to the sending unit
Sender has about 220 ohms resistance at 150 temperature (according to my scan tool)

Next time I get the truck I will check for a thermostat and for correct operation but in the meantime .....

Does anyone know what the correct voltage SHOULD be going to the sender with one lead ..... or what the proper resistance should be ?

Thanks,

Bruce Toski

 

skirydr: my 93 ranger 2.3l does the same thing, replaced the thermostat, still the same problem, seldom gets to the N, just during highway driving. The truck also seems to idle a little smoother the closer to the n that it gets, im a little stumped.

 

I broke down and purchased the Alldata subscription for this 99 Explorer.

It says that when one introduces the following resistance values between the wire that goes to the gauge temp sender and ground:

* 300ohms gauge should read Cold
* 45ohms gauge should read mid temp
* 18ohms gauge should read Hot

my sender was 300ohms at 150 degrees so it appears defective. I ordered a new sender, $17.00, from the dealer. ..... will let you know.

Bruce Toski

 

'96 4.0 108,000 miles

Just to add my 2 cents...my temp gauge is just above cold mark...I have heat, both heater hoses hot, replaced thermostat twice, replaced temp sending unit, grounded wire and gauge pegs at hot, "burped" coolant system profusely, BUT still running near cold. I am getting approx. 18 mpg/mixed driving so seems ok. I might try a Stant thermostat but my guess is the gauge itself???

 

Hi Everyone,
This is an old thread but I see no answers to this problem anywhere.
I have a 94 Explorer XLT and have the same problem. The engine just does not get up much above the lower end of normal. During the warmer months there is no problem and the heat output is pretty high but when the weather turns cold I just cannot get enough heat. It takes a 40 minute drive to get the interior of the vehicle luke warm.

I replaced the thermostat with a hotter one last spring with no change.
I suspect that the fan clutch is binding so that even at cooler temperatures it is engaging and cooling the fluid going through the radiator. Just like when an electric fan gets stuck running full time, the engine just never quite gets all the way up to temp.

Anyone have experience with their fan clutches? Can it be pulled apart and cleaned/lubed to work as originally intended or is this a replace only part?

I considered checking the gauge and the temp sender but what is the point if you already know that the amount of heat is not sufficient? The sender could be a problem if the fan were electric but does it have any effect at all on the clutched system? I tend to think not but I have not messed with it yet.
Would be interested in hearing others experience with this setup.

 

I believe fan clutches are a 'replace only' item. However, even tho my guage reads low, I can definitely see where the thermostat opens and closes. It is obvious by the movement of the guage. So I would think this rules out the fan. You can also hear the fan noise drop to almost nothing as it warms up.
I too have plenty of heat it seems inside. I suspect thermostat, guage or sender.

 

I replaced the sender with Ford dealer item and thermostat with aftermarket and gauge is working properly now.
FYI
BT