I have a 1996 e150 econoline van, 5.8 liter, auto trans. I am not mechanic, just a 63yr old female whose owned this van 26yrs and do a lot of the maintenance. Brakes, heater core, joints no problem, but I'm simply stuck on locating either of the two temp sensors. I didn't realize there was two of them B4 I started researching. I'm first wanting to change our the sending unit as never been done at 240,000 miles, and while van runs great but for very high idle, my interior temp gauge suddenly started showing 20,-25% increase. No fluid loss. Was driving hwy speed on cool night, and while it seems to remain halfway between normal and hot, it's totally out of character, which concerns me. Fixing to drive back to tx from NW Washington and want to know why all of sudden is running hotter. New radiator, cap, hoses. Water pump ok, no head issue. Thermostat seems to be ok, and doubt it's a fan sensor cuz of how it presented. Since cheap fix to replace sending unit, wanted to start there. Took the air filter n housing off. Still can't tell where it is. Do I have to remove a hose to access sending unit? What about this secondary ECT sensor supposedly located in standpipe? Read it can affect idle speed n gas mileage plus temperature. Should I replace it also, or clean/check the MAF sensor and IAC sensor first?

 

The sensor is for the signal to the computer, the sender is for the gauge.

I would do some testing before replacing. Is your fan clutch operating properly?
Do you have a volt meter?
Somewhere on this forum there are resistance values for the sensor at different temperatures. Your sending unit for your gauge may be fine.

 

Post number 10 has a picture. https://www.f150forum.com/f10/engine...rectly-320332/

 

These are the ECT (the one for the PCM) specs from my Ford Shop Manual. I am sure these do not have to be exact but close.

58,750 ohms @ 50 degrees F
40,500 ohms @ 65 degrees F
3600 ohms @ 180 degrees F
1840 ohms @ 220 degrees F