Erratic Temp Gauge - Help
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Erratic Temp Gauge - Help
My first post on the site. Hope to get some help. I have a 2000 X 2WD with the 6.8L V10. Bought it brand new and now has 95K miles. Coolant system flushed every 30K. At the 90K service, I replaced the thermostat. 5k miles later, the temp gauge will be rock steady in the normal range and suddenly rise to the red (literally in about 2 sec) and them immediatley fall back to normal. Another mile down the, same thing happens. Here's the kicker - this only happens when the a/c is set to "MAX A/C" This does not happen in the normal a/c setting or if the a/c is off. I replaced the thermostat again -- no help. I replaced the $12 temp sending unit -- no help. Finally broke down and took it to the dealer. They want $886.66 to replace the entire gauge cluster!! Seems to me if the gauge itself was bad, it would fluctuate all the time. Need help - going on a 5K mile road trip in three weeks and would like to have this resolved by them.
BTW - the engine is not overheating, measured the coolant when the needle hits the red, but coolant is at normal operting temp. Suggestions? Thanks in advance!
BTW - the engine is not overheating, measured the coolant when the needle hits the red, but coolant is at normal operting temp. Suggestions? Thanks in advance!
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,253
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From: Houston, Texas
First and foremost:
Welcome to FTE!
You'll find everything you need to know about your truck and then some...
Onto business:
If indeed it is the gauge cluster, it's not that hard to replace. I recently had to change to bulbs on the cluster and it took me just under an hour. It's an easy DIY job, all that's holding that dash together is two bolts and a few connectors. (If you need instructions please PM me.)As for the thermostat issue, I'm not too sure, but if it involves a connector, make sure it's on there tight and doesn't have any goop on it. (brake cleaner acts as a potent degreaser)
Welcome to FTE!
You'll find everything you need to know about your truck and then some...
Onto business:
If indeed it is the gauge cluster, it's not that hard to replace. I recently had to change to bulbs on the cluster and it took me just under an hour. It's an easy DIY job, all that's holding that dash together is two bolts and a few connectors. (If you need instructions please PM me.)As for the thermostat issue, I'm not too sure, but if it involves a connector, make sure it's on there tight and doesn't have any goop on it. (brake cleaner acts as a potent degreaser)
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Joined: May 2006
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Thanks for the advice. Cleaning the connectors was one of the first things I did with no help. I did find that I could order a new instrument cluster on line from newfordparts.com for $273.53. Hoping that there was an easier (i.e., less expensive) fix before going this route. Still looking for others that may have encountered this problem.
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Wren
Modular V10 (6.8l)
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Oct 10, 2013 06:33 AM
