Have two questions:
1. I have a 95' 5.8L, E4OD, Eddie Bauerext. cab. My temp gauge has gone out. Started going intermittently, sometimes when hitting bumps, dropping to below cold, then normal, ect., until now pointer is at lowest point possible. Not sure if is sending unit or gauge. I tried grounding a wire to block and to the sender post, and no response to gauge.Ford tried same with same results. Told me it wasn't sending unit, but likely the gauge. Ford quoted several hundred dollars for new gauge, so will likely buy a new Autometer gauge and leave factory one alone. Is this a common problem and does anyone have any other suggestions?
Any other sending unit troubleshooting checks known? I notice that the pointer is just a little above the lowest (coldest) point when the engine is off, and when key is turned over it drops a little bit more to lowest.
Second: I have started noticing a fairly loud crunching noise when I turn the steering wheel all the way left and right.Also noticeable when braking, as when front dips down. Sounds like coming from front suspension. Truck only has 33,000 miles on it, so shouldn't be ball joints or related suspension components but sounds like from that area. A service mech. at Ford looked at the truck (not on a lift), heard the noises, and told me they had problem with the early to mid 90's models having the rivets come loose where the crossmember under the engine conntects to the side framerails. They said it wasn't a dangerous condition, just annoying. Said I could have the rivets drilled out and heavy duty bolts put in instead. Anyone heard of this before? Seems like that would be something that a recall might remedy and if they are truly loose could constitute a hazardous condition.
Thanks for any help,
Machboss

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1995 F-150, Eddie Bauer package, Black/Gold, 5.8 liter 351, high altitude package, elect. 4-spd auto.trans., engine block heater, 40/20/40 bench seat, 265/75RX15XL Goodyear All-Terrain tiresw/forged alum. wheels, 3.55 limited slip axle, short bed (7'), trailer tow package, off road package, full skid plates, remote keyless, handling package, full instrumentation incl. tach., special ordered manual lock out hubs, cruise/full power, heavy duty rear suspension, chrome rear step bumper,
34.7 dual fuel tanks, duraliner, custom cut seat covers,bug shield, K&N FIPK,Superchip,Dynomax catback system. Has a matching black upper end Guidon topper.

 

I have a 96 f-150 ext cab that was making the same noises at about 26,000 miles. I took it to the dealership and they spot welded the cross members to the frame. I haven't heard a noise since.

 

Man, back in july I had this same problem and no one really heard of it....now your the third one beside myself to have this problem with the temp gauge.

"MY" symptoms were...with ignition off the needle was parked on the "C" as it should be...As soon as the ignition was turned on the needle would slam BELOW the "C" and stay there no matter what temp the engine was at.

If this is what you have then it is the gauge assembly. The part is readily available from ford BUT!!! if you have a tach then you have to get the temp/oil gauge assembly and change it as a group. It is very very simple to do. I did the change in about an hour & a half, and that was with cleaning the dash parts as I took them out.
The part for my '96 was $105 and i changed the sender too for the hell of it but the sender was good.
I don't have the part number in fron of me but for "several hundred dollars they might be trying to sell you an "ENTIRE" gauge/speadometer assembly. I was quoted $600-$800 for that.

I still have the box and the old unit in my shed....If you need the part number I can give it to ya so they don't try and rip ya off.
Ok I went and got the number

F8TZ-10883-BA TEMP GAUGE
Now, mine is a '96 but the dash is the same from 92-96
When you look for the part they are going to ask if you have a tach and and have the production date ready for them.


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96 F150 XL,special
Air/PS/PB/AM-FM-Cass/
Light Package/300 I6/
5 SP Man/...
Nothing fancy just my little baby

 

Jimbello: Yes, I do have a tach with mine. I think the gauge package was pre-set with the Eddie Bauer package, and I believe it was for full instrumentation. Your symptoms were exactly what mine is doing, so I assume it's the gauge too. Especially after the service tech did the grounding test to the sender unit and the gauge did nothing. As was explained to me when he grounded out the sender wire, if the sender had been out the temp gauge would have shot up to the full hot position. Thanks for the part number; I'll call Ford tomorrow and see what availability and price currently is.I'm tempted to just go ahead and buy a good Autometer gauge and attach it to the bottom of the dash in a good pod. I can probably get a much better gauge that actually reads in specific degrees rather than just a generic temp range, and for a third of the price.
Foult: About Ford spot welding your crossmember...do you know what they charged you for that. According to the service tech I spoke with it has become a very common problem with the pre-97 half ton trucks. I wonder why Ford hasn't put out some kind of recall. Mine is more than just a little annoying, it has become very loud and doesn't inspire much confidence in the structural integrity, and thus strength, of the framework. I've never had this happen in any other truck I've owned, and I've had four. Also, how long was your truck laid up for the work to be done?
Thanks for all the responses, you've been very helpful.
Machboss

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1995 F-150 Eddie Bauer
Black/Gold
5.8 liter,
high altitude package
elect. 4-spd auto.trans.
Superchip
K&N FIPK (does NOT have mass air flow sensor)
Dynomax Superturbo cat-back exhaust (wish I'd gotten the Flowmasters instead like my 69 Mach I 428CJ has)
265/75RX15XL Goodyear All-Terrain tiresw/forged alum. wheels
3.55 limited slip axle short bed (7')
trailer tow package, off road package, full skid plates, handling package, heavy duty rear suspension
full instrumentation
special ordered manual lock out hubs,
chrome rear step bumper,
34.7 gall. dual fuel tanks,
duraliner
custom cut seat covers,
Black Guidon topper
33,000 miles