1998 ranger radiator question
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Joined: Mar 2006
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1998 ranger radiator question
I have lots of miles (282,000) on this sucker . Just put a new tranny in and main seal . Before that tranny went out I pit in a new thermostat .
It ran good for a couple days then it would warm up and the temp gauge would spike to hot then back down to middle temp .
It kept doing this so I decided to put in another thermostat . Now the temp never reads warm or anything but I still get warm heat when the heater is on . It still will blow out cold air every now and then but still goes back to blowing warm air ... all this time never having the temp gauge (inside) read anything but cold .
Any thoughts ? Heater core , another thermostat , bad gauge , water pump , air inside radiator ?
I aint the best mechanic so any help would be great . The truck still runs incredible so I dont want to blow up the motor because I'm an idiot .Thanks.
It ran good for a couple days then it would warm up and the temp gauge would spike to hot then back down to middle temp .
It kept doing this so I decided to put in another thermostat . Now the temp never reads warm or anything but I still get warm heat when the heater is on . It still will blow out cold air every now and then but still goes back to blowing warm air ... all this time never having the temp gauge (inside) read anything but cold .
Any thoughts ? Heater core , another thermostat , bad gauge , water pump , air inside radiator ?
I aint the best mechanic so any help would be great . The truck still runs incredible so I dont want to blow up the motor because I'm an idiot .Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey
Welcome to FTE!!!
You could have air in the system and thats why your not getting a good reading now, try bleeding the system, also make sure the wire for the temp senser is properly connected. If that doesn't work I would start by picking up a Motorcraft thermostat desgined for your engine/year.
You could have air in the system and thats why your not getting a good reading now, try bleeding the system, also make sure the wire for the temp senser is properly connected. If that doesn't work I would start by picking up a Motorcraft thermostat desgined for your engine/year.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Well you can do some simple tests to determine if the problem is the gauge temp sendng unit, or the temp gauge or it's wiring.
With your multimeter, test the sending units resistance, it should read about 40K ohms when cold, 50-65 deg F & 3K ohms when warmed up to operating temperature.
Knowng that, you can also check the temp gauge operation by removing & grounding it's wire connection at the temp sensor, through a 3K ohm resistor. If it's ok, the temp gauge should read up scale where it normally would whn the engine is fully warmed up.
Let us know what you find.
With your multimeter, test the sending units resistance, it should read about 40K ohms when cold, 50-65 deg F & 3K ohms when warmed up to operating temperature.
Knowng that, you can also check the temp gauge operation by removing & grounding it's wire connection at the temp sensor, through a 3K ohm resistor. If it's ok, the temp gauge should read up scale where it normally would whn the engine is fully warmed up.
Let us know what you find.
