Help with coolant Temp sensor/gauge
#1
Help with coolant Temp sensor/gauge
I have a '90 F150 with the 5.0. A while back, the temp gauge stopped working. I figured the sender went out, but haven't worried about it, as the truck has never had any cooling problems. I decided recently that I might ought to seriously consider taking care of it though, so I started searching on here. This brings me to my findings and question(s).
Currently when I hit the key, with everything connected correctly, the temp gauge needle falls slightly from its resting position toward Cold.
I tried shorting the connector and hit the key - it does the same thing.
I tried it with the connector not shorted, and not connected to the sender - same thing.
Decided to see if starting the truck with the sender shorted would give a different result (I was desperately looking for that swing to H, indicating only a bad sender), but got the same barely moving to full Cold, and a CEL; and a drop in idle.
What does all of this indicate? Bad gauge? (please say no - LOL!) With the gauge shorted, and the engine started, I got the CEL and a low idle. Does that mean anything?
Thanks in advance,
Wade
Currently when I hit the key, with everything connected correctly, the temp gauge needle falls slightly from its resting position toward Cold.
I tried shorting the connector and hit the key - it does the same thing.
I tried it with the connector not shorted, and not connected to the sender - same thing.
Decided to see if starting the truck with the sender shorted would give a different result (I was desperately looking for that swing to H, indicating only a bad sender), but got the same barely moving to full Cold, and a CEL; and a drop in idle.
What does all of this indicate? Bad gauge? (please say no - LOL!) With the gauge shorted, and the engine started, I got the CEL and a low idle. Does that mean anything?
Thanks in advance,
Wade
#2
It should peg the gauge when you short the sender to a ground. If it doesn't, the gauge is shot.
The stock gauges are junk. Pick up a $20 cap tube temp gauge at the auto parts store. On my 5.8 the included fitting went right in the place of the stock sender, and the tube length was perfect.
I guess you could junkyard-up a replacement gauge, but might as well just get a real one.
The stock gauges are junk. Pick up a $20 cap tube temp gauge at the auto parts store. On my 5.8 the included fitting went right in the place of the stock sender, and the tube length was perfect.
I guess you could junkyard-up a replacement gauge, but might as well just get a real one.
#3
The Water sender connector only has one wire on it.
The one you shorted is the ECT sensor going to the computer and not to the gauge.
I hope you did not hurt the computer.
Last edited by subford; 08-23-2008 at 10:28 PM.
#5
Wade
#7
Beautiful!! Thanks subford!! Man, I feel like a moron........ I was thinking that the sensor should have been in the manifold (as that's where it is on my Mustang). I should have known better, but for some or other reason, I saw the ect sensor first and zero'd in on it. :dunce: dummydummydummy......... I'll check the right one now!
Thanks again sub!! (and all)
Wade
Thanks again sub!! (and all)
Wade
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#8
Okay. Once I FINALLY shorted the correct wire, I found that the sensor is apparently bad - When shorted and ignition on, the gauge swept all the way over to "H". I have a new sensor, but was wondering - would you guys use anything on the threads when installing it? Any type of thread sealer? Teflon tape even?
Wade
Wade
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The one I pulled looked like it had some of that on it....along with some rust, and oil, and sand, and grime - LOL!! I was thinking between these posts that I may just run some teflon tape around the upper threads (I don't think I have any pipe dope in my plumbing stuff) to hopefully leave some lower ones bare, yet give the tape a chance to seal the upper threads. I just HATE going back in to fix leaks - I want it to be perfect on the first shot! LOL!
Thanks sub.....
Wade
Thanks sub.....
Wade
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