Water Temp Sender Location?

[86RangerXL]

Where is the water temp sender located in a 1986 Ranger with a 2.9? I'm pretty sure its the other sensor lookin thing to the right of the water temp sensor near the thermostat housing, but just want to be sure. Just to be clear, I'm talking about the sender, not the sensor.

 

[RonD]

Yes, you are correct
The ECT 2 wire sensor is near the upper rad hose/thermostat housing on lower intake
The Temp Sender is 1 wire and near the ECT sensor

ECT is 5volt
Sender is 12volt
So not the same internally

 

[86RangerXL]

Yes, you are correct
The ECT 2 wire sensor is near the upper rad hose/thermostat housing on lower intake
The Temp Sender is 1 wire and near the ECT sensor

ECT is 5volt
Sender is 12volt
So not the same internally

Ok thank you, I was having issues with my gauge and that part looked pretty old so I figure why not replace it

 

[RonD]

If you pull the 1 wire off sender and ground it with a jumper wire, then turn the key on, the temp gauge should to all the way up to HOT
If so the wire and gauge are OK, replace sender

 

[86RangerXL]

I know this wasn't the point of the thread, but I replaced the sender and now the temp gauge just goes from minimum to maximum in about 30 seconds of driving, even though the radiator or inlet hose isn't very hot. There's no way that's right. Also, I tried to get the air out of the coolant by putting a funnel on the radiator cap and filling it with coolant, then letting it run for 10 mins. No bubbles ever showed and the radiator was cool until I started driving, even though the temp gauge was above half way and continuing to go up while idling

 

[RonD]

You got a bad or the wrong sender, should look like this: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61sFvK2ShoS.jpg
Replace it

If it has a Cone shaped tip its a 5v sensor not a SENDER: https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/8872e590-42af-4f67-923b-9bb05adf4fcc_1.fde6bd74b5585778a13f1c28d5ee04dc.jpeg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFF


When engine is cold take one heater hose off at the firewall, doesn't matter which one
Refill radiator until coolant is coming out of firewall AND hose
Put hose back on
ALL the air is out


The heater is on the engine side of the Thermostat, rad cap is on the radiator side
When engine is cold thermostat is closed
So when you refill cooling system air gets trapped in the engine/heads behind thermostat
Heater hose is at rad cap level, so with a hose removed coolant can push the air out as you refill via radiator cap opening
Easy peasy lemon squeezy

 

[kxri318]

You got a bad or the wrong sender, should look like this: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61sFvK2ShoS.jpg
Replace it

If it has a Cone shaped tip its a 5v sensor not a SENDER: https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/8872e590-42af-4f67-923b-9bb05adf4fcc_1.fde6bd74b5585778a13f1c28d5ee04dc.jpeg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFF


When engine is cold take one heater hose off at the firewall, doesn't matter which one
Refill radiator until coolant is coming out of firewall AND hose
Put hose back on
ALL the air is out


The heater is on the engine side of the Thermostat, rad cap is on the radiator side
When engine is cold thermostat is closed
So when you refill cooling system air gets trapped in the engine/heads behind thermostat
Heater hose is at rad cap level, so with a hose removed coolant can push the air out as you refill via radiator cap opening
Easy peasy lemon squeezy

Maybe a bad sender. I got a Standard TS374, which looks exactly the same as the one you sent. I already replaced the cone shaped tip one. The funnel I was talking about is this one pictured. I've used it to get the air out of the coolant before, just filled the funnel up, let it run until operating temp, then it sucks the coolant down.