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Old Sep 29, 2008 | 10:58 AM
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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?
 
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Old Sep 29, 2008 | 06:00 PM
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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.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2008 | 08:44 AM
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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.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2008 | 10:08 AM
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unit

then what did i replace?
 
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Old Sep 30, 2008 | 10:19 AM
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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?
 
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Old Sep 30, 2008 | 10:55 AM
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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.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2008 | 11:07 AM
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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.


/
 
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 11:08 AM
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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.
 
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