Temperature Needle Stuck on Hot
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Temperature Needle Stuck on Hot
First post here. I couldn't find the same problem through searching. I have a 95 Ranger XLT, 4x4. 4.0 v6, A/C (that only blows warm out the defrost, but that's another issue I'm working on, possibly related to this), Automatic Transmission.
My in dash temperature guage is stuck on hot. Actually past hot as far as the needle can go. I replaced the thermostat since it was a relativley cheap and easy to get to part that may have caused the problem. This changed nothing with the needle in dash.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the in dash gauge to read accurately? Someone at work suggested that there is a gauge near the thermostat housing that could be bad, is this the same as a sending unit? And could this be the problem?
Thanks for any help.
My in dash temperature guage is stuck on hot. Actually past hot as far as the needle can go. I replaced the thermostat since it was a relativley cheap and easy to get to part that may have caused the problem. This changed nothing with the needle in dash.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the in dash gauge to read accurately? Someone at work suggested that there is a gauge near the thermostat housing that could be bad, is this the same as a sending unit? And could this be the problem?
Thanks for any help.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: allen park
Its called a temperature sending unit. There *MAY* be two (someone confirm please?) If it's a dual unit system, one is use to send temperature info to the computer to tell it to switch between cold and warm mode of tuning. The other is used to send info to the gauge. If it's a single unit system, one unit does both jobs. In any case, the temperature sending unit may have took a squat on you and it's time to replace it.
If i remember correctly, the one you are looking for is on the front of the engine near the thermostat housing.
Someone please confirm?
If i remember correctly, the one you are looking for is on the front of the engine near the thermostat housing.
Someone please confirm?
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
Welcome to FTE.
Yes there is a singe wire temp sending unit close to the thermostat, just for the temp gauge. Disconnect this wire from the sending unit, isolate it from ground, then check the temp gauge, with the ignition key in the KOEO position.
If the temp gauge reads cold, then suspect the sending unit.
If it still reads full scale hot & the leads electrical connection isn't touching ground, suspect a short circuit in the wire between the instrument panel & the sending unit, or a bad gauge.
I suppose the needle could be stuck, if the gauge movement was "electically slammed" hard full scale, so try thumping the instrument panel & see if you can dislodge it.
Let us know what you find.
Yes there is a singe wire temp sending unit close to the thermostat, just for the temp gauge. Disconnect this wire from the sending unit, isolate it from ground, then check the temp gauge, with the ignition key in the KOEO position.
If the temp gauge reads cold, then suspect the sending unit.
If it still reads full scale hot & the leads electrical connection isn't touching ground, suspect a short circuit in the wire between the instrument panel & the sending unit, or a bad gauge.
I suppose the needle could be stuck, if the gauge movement was "electically slammed" hard full scale, so try thumping the instrument panel & see if you can dislodge it.
Let us know what you find.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Liberty, MO
It more than likely is the temp sending unit, although I've never heard of one causing the gauge to read a constant temp. When mine bit the dust it simply started reading real goofy, either warming up to nearly max on the gauge or to just a hair above cold. But it did vary what it was reading. You may have inadvertantly knocked off the connecter for the temp senser since its not a very secure connection from the get go. It is located directly beneath the thermostat. There should be a single wire leading to something round that threads into the block.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Higginsville, MO
I had a similar problem with my fuel gauge on my 04. I filled the tank one day and when I got back in the truck and turned the key on, the gauge wouldn't move above 1/4 tank. I thought maybe I had been jipped at the pump so I stopped at another station to see if I could fit any more fuel in, which I couldn't. It drove me nuts for about 3 days until I just decided to pull the fuse on it. I pulled the fuse and then put it back in and it was fine and hasn't messed up since.
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I believe it is a bad gauge based on some of the information in the responses. I pulled the dash to get to the gauge needle and it is stuck. If moved by hand, it simply goes back tot he same position whether the ignition is on or not.
IDoes anyone have any tips on changing a gauge out? Pulling the dash to get to it was quite the chore. For the record, I'm not against just going through the plastic covering. This is a work truck and will be driven until sold for scrap so I don't care what it looks like.
IDoes anyone have any tips on changing a gauge out? Pulling the dash to get to it was quite the chore. For the record, I'm not against just going through the plastic covering. This is a work truck and will be driven until sold for scrap so I don't care what it looks like.
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From: SW Va
Seems to me I remember a thread on this forum with pictures, on how to change out a instrument cluster gauge.
Seems to me, if I remember right, they just pop out!!!!
Try a search of this forum, for posts round about the 04 time frame, or maybe someone will remember the thread, or knows speciically how & will answer up.
I suppose you could just add a gauge in the "A" pillar, as there are mouldings & gauge to fit, out there, or just get a cluster from a salvage yard.
Seems to me, if I remember right, they just pop out!!!!
Try a search of this forum, for posts round about the 04 time frame, or maybe someone will remember the thread, or knows speciically how & will answer up.
I suppose you could just add a gauge in the "A" pillar, as there are mouldings & gauge to fit, out there, or just get a cluster from a salvage yard.
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Posting Guru
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From: Higginsville, MO
Since looks arent a problem, I would just go to the local parts store and get an aftermarket electric temp guage and mount it under the dash or on top or wherever is convenient to you. Probably only take half an hour to mount and you can probably get the guage for less than $20.
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