• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

can't figure it out replaced everything.....


Tbarnes93

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2013
Messages
90
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
I have a 1994 ford ranger 4.0. I have replaced about everything i can think of coolant wise. new radiator, water pump, all new hoses, thermostat, radiator cap and even coolant temp sensor.( broke it replacing head gasket) I cant get the temperature gauge to work. it stays on cold even after the thermostat opens. The first coolant temp was faulty and threw a check engine light so i took it back and bought the more expensive one and this time it didn't throw a light but gauge isn't budging off cold. when i turn it off the gauge will rise a little bit but when i turn the key back on it goes back to being buried. i cant figure out what the issue is and i need my temp gauge working seeing how i just replaced the head gaskets. I have tried about everything i can think of so if you guys have any ideas it will be greatly appreciated. I have had nothing but trouble out of this truck..... thanks.
 


Tbarnes93

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2013
Messages
90
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
the gauge was working before we broke it btw.
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,290
Reaction score
8,290
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
The dash temp gauge uses a 1 wire sender on the intake, it is a simple resistance sender.

To check the wire and gauge remove the connector on the sender, turn on the key, gauge should be all the way UP or all the way DOWN, doesn't matter which but all the way.
Now ground that connector wire, short wire to the Negative on the battery is fine, gauge should now do the opposite of above, all the way UP or all the way DOWN.

If gauge does this then wire and gauge are fine, replace sender.
If gauge doesn't go UP and DOWN then you will need to trace the wire and maybe pull the dash.


The temp sender should not be confused with the ECT sensor, the ECT sensor has two wires and is only used by the computer, it is unrelated to the dash temp gauge.
They look similar but are not the same.
A faulty temp sender will not turn on the check engine light(CEL), only the ECT sensor would if there was a problem.

Also on any 1 wire senders, the threads are part of the circuit, so do not use sealing tape on the lower threads, it needs a good ground via the threads.
 
Last edited:

ab_slack

Member
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Oct 17, 2011
Messages
755
Reaction score
12
Points
18
Location
New Joisey
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.9L
Transmission
Manual
^^ What Ron said. It's a different sensor than the one you replaced. If it was working before all the engine work perhaps it got disconnected.
 

Tbarnes93

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2013
Messages
90
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
okay i will look at it in the morning i may have forgot to connect it back after i took everything apart.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Members online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top