Tempature Gauge
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Tempature Gauge
96 F150 w/straight 6.
In blows warm air, but I never see the needle get up into the normal operating tempature range. Truck runs and drives fine, AC and heater work..any ideas?
In blows warm air, but I never see the needle get up into the normal operating tempature range. Truck runs and drives fine, AC and heater work..any ideas?
No Pain, No Pain!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,825
Likes: 12
From: Baltimore, Maryland
Check your antifreeze level, if it is low you will not get much/any heat.
Also, the thermostat could be stuck open, not allowing the fluid to warm up enough to provide good heat.
Also, the thermostat could be stuck open, not allowing the fluid to warm up enough to provide good heat.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,806
Likes: 480
From: Cape Girardeau MO
The heater should be able to flat run you out of the cab with the engine at operating temperature, so your description of 'warm' has me leaning towards a faulty thermostat failed open or opening early, or a low coolant level as dewman suggested. Also, if the temperature blending door does not seal off tightly, could be a reason. Be sure to solve the right problem.
Could also be a gauge or sending unit problem. Can test the gauge by removing the lead from the sensor with the key ON. Gauge should read cold. Then ground the lead, gauge should read hot. Be sure to identify the correct sensor. If your model year is like mine - there are two coolant temperature sensors - one for the computer and one for the gauge. The one for the gauge is pretty small and has a one-wire lead, mine is located near the upper coolant outlet. The gauge typically ranges from the 'O' to the 'M' of NORMAL at operating temperature.
Could also be a gauge or sending unit problem. Can test the gauge by removing the lead from the sensor with the key ON. Gauge should read cold. Then ground the lead, gauge should read hot. Be sure to identify the correct sensor. If your model year is like mine - there are two coolant temperature sensors - one for the computer and one for the gauge. The one for the gauge is pretty small and has a one-wire lead, mine is located near the upper coolant outlet. The gauge typically ranges from the 'O' to the 'M' of NORMAL at operating temperature.