Coolant Temp

[disciplerocks]

Well when I start the truck the gauge stays low and gradually creeps up like it would normally as it warms up, but the needle doesn't go any higher than the first line. (see pic) I have replaced the thermostat and the temp sensor. Any ideas?

This is at normal operating temperature.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

its normal, its inside the gauge. i've done the same thing and my gauge has never risen above cold

which temp sensor did you replace? there is a 2 wire sensor and a 1 wire sensor. the 1 wire sensor runs the gauge.

 

[disciplerocks]

Ah that would make sense. I replaced the 2 wire. Where is the other one?

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

on the 2.9L? i believe its screwed into the intake manifold on the driver side front. but im not totally sure.

its hard to miss because its the only 1 wire sensor screwed into the cooling system

 

[disciplerocks]

Ok thanks. I'll check that out tomorrow.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Check the guage first pull the wire off the sender and touch it to ground and see if the guage goes to hot if so it is either the sensor or t-stat.

 

[disciplerocks]

The gauge works kinda so its getting power, and I already replaced the thermostat.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

does it show hot when you ground the wire to the sensor to a good engine ground the sensor provides ground for the guage

 

[kimcrwbr1]

If your other guages are working good they use the same power supply if you have a multimeter turn the key on and you should be getting a pulsing voltage to the wire for the sensor about 8 volts if not the guage is probably bad but the easy way is to stick a wire in the connector and touch it to a ground and the guage should read hot also sometimes the connector gets loose crimp it a little with a pair of pliers so it zipps on the sensor.

 

[disciplerocks]

Don't have a meter. I am just going to replace the other sensor and if that doesn't work then I'll just live with it.

 

[disciplerocks]

Also, I can't find the other one on Autozone.com. Is it called something different, or what?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

just got to the store and ask for a temp sensor for a guage not a light. Some say sender ,sensor or switch if you look online maybe a switch but it will say it is for a light or guage

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I just checked autozone and oreilleys and neither had the part numbers call autozone I am sure they stock one

 

[disciplerocks]

K thanks, I'll pull it out and take it in when I go.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Did you locate the sensor and did you check the connector if it is loose try that first crimp it a little so it fits tite