2.3L Coolant temp not working

[bunnrangerguy]

The temp gauge does not come off cold. I think its either thermostat open or coolant temp sensor is bad any suggestions on how to figure out exactly?

 

[ejholmgren]

Feel the rad hose and see if it's getting hot, if so, the sending unit is probably bad, if not, the stat is probably stuck

 

[Mark_88]

you could start by checking the wire to the sending unit...it should be on the manifold near the back or on the block driver's side...if the wire is loose you will not get a reading...otherwise...if the hose isn't getting hot you may need to change the thermostat...and that's not difficult at all if you haven't done it before...just two bolts on the front of the engine by the cam...

 

[alnvilma]

I changed out my thermostat and the sensor but the guage still reads only to the cold 'line'. Heater output is OK, not super hot. I guess it's the guage(?)

 

[bunnrangerguy]

hose is not hot after driving 30 miles so going to change thermostat out and see where I am. I think that is the problem stuck open.

 

[Mark_88]

Hope that helps...I was using a high temp thermostat (90*)...but I cooked the head on it due to other things like blocking off the rad to get more heat in the cab...and forgot to take it off when we had an unusually warm day...