Temperature gauge help!!
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 290
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Temperature gauge help!!
I have a 89 Ranger 2.3 L and the temp gauge is giving me a fit.
It will only raise to about the "c" on the gauge and i have done the following to try and fix it.
The water pump has been replaced, full radiator system flush with new fluid, and replaced the thermostat.
the gauge works because when the water pump went out, the gauge started to rise to the middle since it was running a little warm. any ideas??? thanks
It will only raise to about the "c" on the gauge and i have done the following to try and fix it.
The water pump has been replaced, full radiator system flush with new fluid, and replaced the thermostat.
the gauge works because when the water pump went out, the gauge started to rise to the middle since it was running a little warm. any ideas??? thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,127
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From: Lewistown, PA
Probably the sending unit itself or the wire. Look on the drivers side of the block towards the back by the oil filter. The sending unit will have 1 wire running to it. The oil pressure switch may be there also, don't confuse them. I think the oil switch is in the head and the temp sensor is in the block.
Let us know you what you find.
Let us know you what you find.
New User
Joined: Jul 2008
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LOCATION:Under hood, driver side, rear engine area, between oil pressure switch and oil filter, mounted in engine block.
Pull off the wire at the sending unit and ground it. If the temp gage maxes to HOT the guage is good and the switch is bad.
Pull off the wire at the sending unit and ground it. If the temp gage maxes to HOT the guage is good and the switch is bad.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 290
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update
ok, so i changed the temperature sending unit out and also grounded the wire to make sure the temp gauge pegged to hot, which it did. the temp gague will now rise almost to the "N" where it says "normal" in the middle of the gauge. once it gets to the "n" it starts backing off a slight bit, then will raise back to it again. if i turn the heat on, it seems to not want to raise even to the "n" mark. any ideas as to why it will not go to the middle of the gauge like normal?
new water pump, new thermostat, new fluid, new temp. sending unit, and tested gauge which works fine.
new water pump, new thermostat, new fluid, new temp. sending unit, and tested gauge which works fine.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,127
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From: Lewistown, PA
Turning on the heat will not cause the gauge or temp to rise. If anything, the heater will lower the temp of the coolant as the heater fan blows air accross the heater core (pretty much just a heat exchanger or mini radiator).
Check that the coolant level is at the proper level and there are no air pockets.
Is the T-stat the correct range? I don't know what the spec is for your truck, but if it's lower than spec, the gauge will not read appropriately as the T-stat will open sooner, thus cooling the engine and keeping the temp down.
Check that the coolant level is at the proper level and there are no air pockets.
Is the T-stat the correct range? I don't know what the spec is for your truck, but if it's lower than spec, the gauge will not read appropriately as the T-stat will open sooner, thus cooling the engine and keeping the temp down.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
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the fluid is up to normal level and the thermostat is the one O'Reilly's Auto called for. I am out of ideas as to why now....
i noticed today that the temp gets to the "n" on normal, then backs off for a few miles, then back to "n" again. it just keeps doing this. anyone else ever have an issue like this? thanks
i noticed today that the temp gets to the "n" on normal, then backs off for a few miles, then back to "n" again. it just keeps doing this. anyone else ever have an issue like this? thanks
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Dexter, MI
I have had several Ford products where "N" is "normal." Have you checked the temp of the air coming out of the vents with the temp control set on hot? If the air is hot on a cold day you're OK. The fluctuating temp level sounds like a bad (sticking) thermostat. Just because its new is no guarantee that its working properly. I had a Falcon that had several T-stats installed that would go right up to Normal and then, within a mile of driving, would go back to Cold. My father-in-law used to say the best place to get a thermostat was from a salvage yard because you knew it works.
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New User
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I would also suspect a to cold rating on the thermastat. The T-state should be rated at 180/195 degrees. I put a 180 degree T-stat in my '90, 2.9L 4x4. they guage sits between the "O" and "R" or just below half way. So i would agree with "77300i6" and "michigan66".
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Southeast MI
If you needed a new water pump, did you make sure the radiator flows freely? Just to make sure, I make it a habit to check if water flows freely through it in anything like that situation. Also check the hoses, which can do funny things when they get soft. Before all that though, I'd get an ir thermo gauge from Meijer, Harbor Freight or the parts store. Check the temp near the incoming hose of the radiator and the hose by the thermostat. The rest is playing around. The medium perf thermostat should open at 180 degrees. The dash gauge is usually junk and useless for real troubleshooting. I'd 2nd the heater core too. Cheap & easy. Get new hoses with that too. You won't be able to get molded, so double up with a scrap bit slit length-wise anywhere you have contact with another part like an alternator. I wire tie the extra layer in place. It'll keep the hose from melting & keep the alternator happy or whatever issues you have. Hope that helps.
Last edited by matt's2.9STX; Nov 13, 2008 at 02:01 PM. Reason: grammatically extra word