possible temperature gauge prob
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
possible temperature gauge prob
I have a 1990 with at 7.3 diesel. I think that maybe the temp gauge is not working properly, as it barely moves and doesn't even read in the normal range after it has been driven for a while. At first the heater wouldn't blow out warm air either, but I replaced the heater core and now have really warm air coming from the vents, that's why I think the gauge is not reading correctly. My question is where sensor on the block that I would replace with a manual temp gauge. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,292
Likes: 5
From: NJ where fun comes to die
I also have a 90, 7.3 My temp gauge only goes to the "n" after is has been run for awhile. We have had some low temps so it takes quite awhile to even get to that. Are the rest of your gauges reading right? I had a bad instrument voltage regulator, and I was getting bad readings until I fixed it. Check the temp of your radiator, you might be fine.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 146
Likes: 2
That might be the problem with mine, but when I pull a 6% plus hill in 100 degree plus temps (in California) my temp gauge goes from about the m on normal to pegged out instantly. When the gauge pegs out so do some of the other gauges, oil, fuel, alt. No pinging from motor, no boiling out of radiator, or any other signs of overheating. When I pull over and let it cool, idling for about five minutes, the gauges all go back to normal. I have a pyro and keep it between 1050 and 1100 up the hill. Any suggestions on mine?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,292
Likes: 5
From: NJ where fun comes to die
On my 90 E series (F series is probably similar), the instrument voltage regulator is on the back of the dash towards the drivers door, almost next to the speedo. It is a small metal rectangular box, about 1/2" x 1 1/2", and a metal plate on the back with one small screw holding it on. The wires are attached with snaps like a household 9 volt battery. If it is bad it can give you consistant wrong readings or cause spikes up and down. When it spikes it goes back down in a few minutes usually. Mine was bad, so I went to Ford. Paid $64 and it was worse than the one I had. They only had one so I went to a bone yard. Works fine now. Pull off the snaps before you take out the screw. I also had to pull the speedo cable off to get the dash out enough to get my hand back there. If you have a small dash panel on the left, you might be able to pull that and reach in and unhook the cable. The cable has a plastic sleeve with two tabs that you have to squeez to remove the cable. Good luck with it.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Wilkeson, Washington
I have had the same temp gauge problems, replaced thermastat thinking that was the problem only to find out that Ford likes using cheap gauges. I put an mechanical gauge in and it reads 190-200 when pulling. Go with the mechanical you won't be sorry.
