I'm probably just paranoid but ever since I got my 96 f150 a year ago I've noticed something. No matter how long I drive the truck, 20 minutes or 4 hours straight, the temp gauge only goes up to the the "N" on normal. This just seems a little low and doesn't make sense as to why it wouldn't go even a bit higher than what it does. I've checked the thermostat, replaced radiator cap, flushed radiator and reservoir and cleaned all lines. Truck doesn't overheat but it feels hotter after driving it for longer (obviously) do I don't know why the engine getting warmer doesn't raise the gauge. It's a 96 f150 2wd 4.9 inline 6. Thanks!

 

That's not atypical at all. The factory gauges are "dummy" gauges and I wouldn't trust them for much other than letting you know that something catastrophic is/has happened. If you want accurate numbers then I would recommend installing aftermarket gauges. I'm in the process of doing it now and will post pics in a thread on the main "1987-1996 F150" forum with part numbers, etc.

 

Also, your truck has two coolant sensors. The one in the thermostat housing at the front of the engine (the "temp sensor") sends temp data to the computer and the one under the intake manifold (the "temp sender") goes to the gauge in the dash. Not sure why Ford couldn't come up with more distinct names....at least they are descriptive, I guess

 

It also seems dumb to have two sensors for, essentially, the same thing.

 

One is a sensor, the other is a sender. The sensor tells the computer that the engine is or isn't at operating temperature. The sender runs the gauge on the dash. 2 totally unrelated systems.

 

X2

 

Chris_1, yes, but still, they could've been combined into a single unit if the temp gauge was "real".