Temp Gauge

[johnsonsnb]

Hi Folks,

I changed the temp gauge sensor today, and the gauge only comes up to the cold mark when the engine is warm.

I'm thinking that either there is a problem with the wire, or the gauge itself is shot.

Is there an easy way to check the wire /gauge? I know that with some of the cars that I've had, if you short the wire, it would allow you to verify the operation of the wire/gauge.

Ideas?

 

[Super95]

Every 2.3 ranger ive driven ran on the cool side of the normal range.
I wouldnt cross any wires.

 

[Mark_88]

depending on the temperature in your area, it could be normal for the engine to run that cool...my Ranger used to run near the cold side and I had to block the rad halfway to get it to warm up to where the heater would do a decent job...but in the summer it would spike up higher on the guage...so I wouldn't be too concerned about it...unless the engine is running really hot (check the top hose)...then you might have a bad guage or the wires are not connecting properly...

 

[Loanranger]

I wouldn't rely on the stock guage anyways, they are hit and miss at best, just get an aftermarket so you know what the temp really is.

 

[scotts90ranger]

my stock gage might be incorrect, but it's consistant. I know that at the first mark it's just about right, if it's standing up, I'm darn near overheating... apparently this is normal, I don't let it bug me, it's been that way for 9 years and hasn't worked differently yet...

 

[johnsonsnb]

Thanks folks. I think I'm going to look into testing the circuit a little more, and if all else fails, I'll put in an aftermarket one.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[ejholmgren]

Both of my 2.3's always ran cold. I covered 3/4 of the rad with cardboard this winter to get decent heat.