Topic Sponsor
1987 - 1996 F150 Still running strong! Talk about your 8th and 9th generation Ford F150 trucks.

Temp gauge fluctuating

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-25-2011, 10:22 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Bobincognito's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Temp gauge fluctuating

Hey people was wondering what else besides a thermostat(this is what I think it is) would make my temp gauge fluctuate it's not runnin on the hot side it's the opposite it's up and down on the cold side of the gauge lime I said think it's the thermostat stickin open but just in case was wondering what else it could be gonna change it out this weekend thanks alot
Old 03-25-2011, 10:53 AM
  #2  
No Pain, No Pain!
 
dewman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 4,825
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Bobincognito
Hey people was wondering what else besides a thermostat(this is what I think it is) would make my temp gauge fluctuate it's not runnin on the hot side it's the opposite it's up and down on the cold side of the gauge lime I said think it's the thermostat stickin open but just in case was wondering what else it could be gonna change it out this weekend thanks alot

Not sure if that is the thermostat, but my 96 F150 is doing the same thing. The gauge never goes past the R in NORMAL, but it moves between the N and the R. The weatherman is calling for snow this weekend, so I am in no hurry to pull the thermostat, yet.
Old 03-25-2011, 12:37 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
BigGreyBox's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

The gauge is controlled by a coolant temp sensor. If the temp reading is inaccurate, that is the cause.
Old 03-25-2011, 12:51 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Bobincognito's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

So where would said sensor be located don't get me wrong gonna go ahead and swap the thermostat regardless might as well but would lik to look into the sensor also
Old 03-25-2011, 01:16 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
BigGreyBox's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

Actually to stand corrected, there is both a sender for the gauge, and a sensor for the computer. The gauge is controlled by the temp sender which has one wire. I have the 4.9 engine, on my truck the sensor is on the thermostat housing, the sender is on the block somewhere. On the 5.0 I think the sender is near the dsitributor.

The 4.9 has a stock thermostat of 195 degrees. I don't know about the 5.0
Old 03-25-2011, 01:29 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Bobincognito's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Right on thanks come to think of it think I seen a wire on the thermostat housing might b wrong just took a quick look at it yesterday before I started work thanks again
Old 03-25-2011, 01:45 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
BigGreyBox's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

The sensor right there by the thermo housing is the one for the computer. If it's bad, it should throw a check engine light though. It's not a very expensive part to replace though, I doubt the sender is either.
Old 03-25-2011, 09:02 PM
  #8  
We'd do it

iTrader: (1)
 
Just call me Sean's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Orlando,Fl.
Posts: 35,602
Received 449 Likes on 402 Posts

Default

It will do that if it's low on water too.



Quick Reply: Temp gauge fluctuating



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:35 AM.