Can a broke temp gauge hurt anything?

[Xandor]

I have a 93 4.0 2wd and its been runnin wonky for a while. I was thinking it was the MAF or fuel presure reg, but my temp gauge never has worked and I had these problems from day one. Can that have anthing to do with it? Never crossed my mind till my dad bought it up.

 

[country0001]

U can get a aftermarket one for around 20 bucks, I'd rather have a temp gauge than a fuel or amp gauge. That tells a lot about ur engine.

 

[59flatbedford]

well the gauge itself being broke probably not, but then how do you know your engine isnt running way hot and damaging other stuff. you might check to see if its the gauge or the sending unit. a new sending unit is like 5 bucks so that might be an easy fix.

 

[adsm08]

+1

Exactly what I was gonna say.

 

[Nhaz]

I am not sure on the 88's but on mine there is actually 2 temp sensors. the computers and the dashes. the dash gauge has no affect on the computers gauge.

 

[adsm08]

After 90 they started setting them up to use the same sensor for both signals. Then in 2000 (ish) they started putting some back to two sensors using Cylinder head temp for the computer signal.

 

[98 ranger xlt]

My 98 has two

 

[trail B2]

If his computer shared the same sensor would'nt he be getting a check engine light?

 

[bigcountry]

to answer your question yes and no. yes if it over heats you wont know till its to late. and no cause it doesnt control much just lets you know if its over heating.

 

[bigcountry]

If his computer shared the same sensor would'nt he be getting a check engine light?

one would think so if the computer is involved you would think it would throw a cel

 

[AllanD]

a "wonky" temp guage has nothing to do with engine mnagement.

The guage sensor is entirely seperate from the computer management's
Engine Coolant Temp sensor (ECT).

But the reason the temp guage get's "wonky" on Gen1, Gen2 and early
Gen3 trucks will likely be a suprise....

Check the ground wire between the left side cylinder head and the
stud that retains the wiper motor on the firewall...

It may sound bizarre (it does to me and I added six or fifteen
other ground wires to my engine while doing my 4.0 conversion)
but that is what the problem was when my temp guage went all
psychotic last spring....

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