94 4.0L Engine Temp

[redriderdan7]

I have a 96 f-150 and a 94 mazda b4000 that also do that. replaced t stat and cleaned connections. no difference. it all depends i guess.

 

[SoLongStang9499]

I'm sorry, but i need to back Jim up on this one. Why are you worrying about your engine temp if the gauge is reading normal? If it isnt boiling over coolant, losing coolant, or puking out the overflow.......then whats wrong? My gauge normally reads between N and R, and its not doing any of the 3 i previously mentioned. I can promise you, i sleep soundly. If anything your boiling over people trying to help you, that could be your problem.

 

[Ballistik]

Ok I asked question because as you can see there are several opinions. 1st if the gauge is bad then why trust it. I was asking if it is a normal thing for the ranger gauges to read low. I want to figure this out becasue if it is running cooler than it should be I would like to fix it to stop carbon build up and get my gas milage up. Which is what proper running temp will do. So again if my gauge is reading correctly then that is fine but that is what I was trying to figure out. Just trusting the gauge isnt the smartest thing simple becasue Big Jim suggested it and it could also be bad or broke i.e. the whole reason for asking. So to everyone who did give a suggestion I do appreciate it but seriously Big Jim have atleast a clue before you open your mouth or decide to type.


And remember the early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese.

 

[SMTGREG]

To test the gauge go to radio shack and purchase a 10 and a 75 ohm resistors. With the key off unplug the wire to the temp sender connect one side of the resistor to the connector and the other side to a good ground. turn the key on. The 75 ohm resistor the needle will be on the cold mark and the 10 ohm will be on the hot mark. If these readings are correct you probably have a bad sender. to verify engine temp you need to check the engine coolant temp sensor ECT. Testing the Light green /red wire from the ECT you should see the readings below.

Temperature Engine Coolant/Intake Air Temperature Sensor Values
°F --- Voltage (volts) Resistance (K ohms)
248 ---- .27 ----- 1.18
230 ---- .35 ----- 1.55
212 ---- .46 ----- 2.07
194 ---- .60 ----- 2.80
176 ---- .78 ----- 3.84
158 ---- 1.02 ----- 5.37
140 ----- 1.33 ----- 7.70
122 ----- 1.70 ----- 10.97
104 ---- 2.13 -----16.15
86 ---- 2.60 ----- 24.27

 

[98 ranger xlt]

My gauge dont say normal

 

[SoLongStang9499]

I dont know what i can tell you to convince you that your gauge is fine, but if you have the burning desire to wrench, by all means, have at it. For giggles, lets say you were overcooling by what...20 degrees? You honestly think 20 degrees is going to have an effect on a combustion chamber operating at least 1000 degrees to cause carbon buildup!? Comeon dude, seriously.

If you dont like what your gauge is reading, just sit in traffic for a couple hours, it'll warm up