Im stumped help me.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 207
Likes: 2
From: parkersburg usa
Im stumped help me.
Ok i have a 03 ranger 2.3 auto 170k miles runs excelent. It has a overheating problem well thats what the temp gauge says. I satrt it up drive it temp goes to normal were it always does than bam in a instant the needle pegs at hot it may stay there for 5 seconds or may stay there for 2 minutes then it instantly goes back down. If i turn the key off then back on it will also go to normal. With my infared heat gun it shows no excesive heat anywere. I also unplugged the temp sensor on back of engine and the head temp sensor on top then the temp gauge stayed at cold then like useual it would jump all the way to hot and stay there then the same back to cold. The gauge shouldnt move with the sender unhooked should it. what could the problem be. computer maybe? short in wire? any ideas?
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: poughkeepsie ny
Did you check to see if you have the proper amount of coolant? I've seen a needle move around like that when pockets of air are in a system. Did you happen to try the heater to see if it's putting out?
Though there's probably a better way to do this, if you have a ohm meter you should be able to test those temp. sensors to see if they're working properly (I always thought cars only had 1 temp. sensor, but what do I know). A short is also possible though I doubt the computer is.
Though there's probably a better way to do this, if you have a ohm meter you should be able to test those temp. sensors to see if they're working properly (I always thought cars only had 1 temp. sensor, but what do I know). A short is also possible though I doubt the computer is.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Bethel Park, PA
Well, when my gauge did that last year it turned out to be my thermostat getting stuck and opening up late. After replacing the thermostat my gauge went to normal and stayed there. I can't answer the part about the sender though. Maybe you'll get more ideas from the other posters about that.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 966
Likes: 1
The thermostat/housing is sold as one unit on the Duratech 2.3. The thermostat is not a separate replaceable piece like in most cars. Sounds like that is the problem in your truck. Have you ever flushed out cooling system and replaced antifreeze? That should be done at same time.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Sounds like a short to ground in the wiring or the gauge temp sensor.
If the temp sensor wire shorts to ground, it'll instantly peg the temp gauge to the H side.
Here is a link to how to find & test the gauge temp sender.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...39&postcount=3
EDIT: So you can see if you disconnect the temp sensors electrical connctor & substitute a 3K ohm resistor to ground, the temp gauge should read normal, if it's wiring isn't shorted.
Fully warmed up the temp sensors resistance should be approx 3K ohms to ground. If it's less then the gauge will read higher. So do the tests when it's acting out.
Let us know what you find.
If the temp sensor wire shorts to ground, it'll instantly peg the temp gauge to the H side.
Here is a link to how to find & test the gauge temp sender.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...39&postcount=3
EDIT: So you can see if you disconnect the temp sensors electrical connctor & substitute a 3K ohm resistor to ground, the temp gauge should read normal, if it's wiring isn't shorted.
Fully warmed up the temp sensors resistance should be approx 3K ohms to ground. If it's less then the gauge will read higher. So do the tests when it's acting out.
Let us know what you find.
