I have a strange problem. My temperature gauge has been giving me some strange readings. I was driving down the highway doing about 70 and my temp gauge starts to drop. After about 5 minuetes it is almost at cold. I get to my destination and turn the truck off, go in for about 5 minuetes, and start the truck up and it goes back to normal. It has done this a couple of more times today. My question is do you think this is a thermostat or the coolant temperature sensor? Is there anything else I might be looking over. Thanks for your help. BTW it is a 98 ranger 2.5 automatic 2 wheel drive.

 

My bet is that history will repeat itself and it's the sender.

 

Did you check your coolant level? Sometimes if your coolant is low the temp sensor will not be immersed and will give you a low reading.

 

Is there a way that I can check the sending unit? Also, the coolant level is full so I don't think that's the problem. It is still doing it today. Thanks for the help.

 

Low coolant giving a low reading? The other way around I believe.

You can check the resistance on the sending unit against the published values for the sender (check the tech thread at the top of the forum perhaps) and see if it's acceptable. If not, R&R it, it may need it by now.

RP
Zach