Notices

96 temp gage problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 29, 2008 | 10:58 AM
  #1  
schloss's Avatar
schloss
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
96 temp gage problems

I'm dealing with a 96 1ton van, and can't get the temp gage figured out. It reads dead cold all the time. Sending unit has been replaced. I tried grounding out the lead that connects to the sending unit and wasn't able to make the needle move at all, so it's obviously a wiring issue or a gage issue. I pulled the instrument panel, and can't do anything now.

Does anybody have any ideas how to start looking? Maybe a schematic that I could see?
 
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2008 | 06:00 PM
  #2  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,964
Likes: 2,725
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
If you can plug the panel in with it still loose, measure for voltage on one side of the guage terminal. Also figure out which wire on the large plug goes to the temp gauge(it will be the red/white or the white red-one of them is the oil and the other the water) and put your meter on the wire with it unplugged at the sending unit, and then with it grounded at the sending unit. You should see continuity to ground with the wire grounded.

If it were my own personal vehicle, and it has the guage that reads "cold normal hot" I would put it back together and go get an aftermarket guage with real numbers on it that mean something and install it.
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2008 | 08:44 AM
  #3  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,666
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
When you replaced the sending unit did it have one or two wires on it?
If it had two wires on it you replaced the wrong unit.
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2008 | 10:08 AM
  #4  
schloss's Avatar
schloss
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
unit

then what did i replace?
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2008 | 10:19 AM
  #5  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,666
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by schloss
then what did i replace?
If it had two wires on it you replaced the ECT sensor for the PCM computer.
It has nothing to do with the gauge on the dash.

What engine do you have?
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2008 | 10:55 AM
  #6  
schloss's Avatar
schloss
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
5.8

it's got the 351.

What is the ECT?

It's the only thing I could find on top of the thermostat housing, it actually runs in the waterline running up to the heater core.

It would be nice to be working on a truck instead of a van, especially since I'm not real familiar with this engine yet.
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2008 | 11:07 AM
  #7  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,666
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by schloss
it's got the 351.

What is the ECT?
ECT: Engine Coolant Temperature sensor.
Originally Posted by schloss
It's the only thing I could find on top of the thermostat housing, it actually runs in the waterline running up to the heater core.
That is where the ECT is located.

The Engine Coolant Temperature sender in on the intake manifold with one wire.

The photo below is for and older engine but it will give you the idea where it is at.


/
 
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2008 | 11:08 AM
  #8  
schloss's Avatar
schloss
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
That makes things clear. I tried finding it again yesterday, but couldn't locate it, and the picture didn't load on my computer, but I found it now. It's really hidden well. Right behind the a/c pump.

I might get the chance to change it out a little later this morning, otherwise it will be next week.

I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks a lot. I don't think I would have ever found it without that picture.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Crewcab Turbo
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Feb 9, 2015 10:57 AM
SteveR1950
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jun 29, 2012 12:34 PM
sneal
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Jul 21, 2010 03:31 PM
redneckgrl88
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Jan 29, 2008 08:00 AM
Madsan
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
May 23, 2003 03:27 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:13 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE