Temperature gauge not working correctly

[Yamidora]

Hey guys.

Ever since I bought my truck the temperature gauge is not working properly.

After driving for a while the gauge goes up to 1/6.

My local repair shop checked the temperature and it's fine.

I've replaced the temperature sending unit with an original replacement.

I checked the cable by holding it on the negative battery connection and it went full.

Are there any known issues or any advices?

Greetings from Germany

 

[tomw]

Do you see any numbers on the 'gauge'? I didn't think you would. It is not going to be more accurate than that unless you get a different gauge that is more 'calibrated'.
The other possibility is the voltage regulator on the backside of the instrument cluster. If that is not working properly, you may get lower or higher than expected voltage to operate the gauge. The regulator 'chops' the batt/alt voltage to limit it to something more constant than the varying output the alternator produces. The gauge needs a more consistent voltage to give consistent results.
If you get used to your installed gauges, you will come to know when things are good and when they are going bad. The installed gauges will read in one area when they are reporting happy conditions. It is when you notice that they are indicating 'different' that you know there is something to be concerned about.
You can check the regulator output, or replace it, or get another gauge and see what it reports. It may be better, or worse, at representing the actual temperature. Coin toss, IMO.
tom

 

[RonD]

Hi from North America

I guess the first thing would be, "What was the temp the local shop said was OK?"

195-200degF/91-93degC is "normal" operating temp of Ford engines
So test the heater, at 200F/93C it should be VERY hot air coming out, if it isn't then shop needs a lesson in Ford temps or a new thermometer

215F/102C is about 1/2 on Ford temp gauge

So after warm up gauge should be above a 1/3 and below 1/2

There are two temp sending units on all fuel injected engines.
ECT sensor has 2 wires and is only used by the computer
Gauge sender has 1 wire and is only used by the gauge.

Your grounding test means you had the right sender and that the wire and electrics in the dash should be OK.

So I would see what the actual temp is again, have them give you a number.
If it is down at 82C then someone has used a 180degF thermostat, it needs to be replaced with a 195degF thermostat.
Or thermostat is leaking or stuck open.

Start cold engine and feel the upper rad hose, radiator end, it will of course be cold.
Let engine idle a few minutes, 2 or 3, and feel it again, it should still be cold, if it is warming up with the engine then thermostat is stuck open, and that is why you are running cold.
Thermostat shouldn't open until coolant temp in the engine is at least 190degF/88degC and that's is when upper rad hose will start to heat up, and that usually takes 5 to 8 minutes of driving.

The 2.3l Lima engine doesn't generate alot of extra heat, it is actually hard to keep them warmed up in cold weather, some put a cover in front of the radiator in winter to lower air circulation in engine bay.

 

[Yamidora]

The gauge in this picture is in the position as mine after 25 min driving.

http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mCksIouppLdSTNVkh-sMbdg.jpg

Goes from underneath the "C" to the first mark.

The thermostat has been replaced by me but I didn't pay attention to the degrees since I didn't know there are 3 types.

Normal running temperature in Germany is 90 degree celsius.
I guess that the car is running at about 90 degree celcius if he said it's ok.

But I'll get an infrared thermometer and check the temperatures at the upper water cooler again by myself.

Edit:
Btw these cars were never sold in my country. It was shipped to Germany in 1991. I have no clue if there are any differences to the German 2.3L engines build since 93 in Germany. You may have those 3 due to your different temperate zones in America? That may be why he didnt figure out the fault.

 

[RonD]

Thermostats set minimum operating temp of an engine, regardless of outside temp, so climate, except for extremes, are not a concern.
In cold weather the thermostat may not open at all, in hot weather any over heating would not be from thermostat, it is open all the way by 200degF, if engine was overheating then a circulation issue would be the problem, or the radiator is too small, lol.

Ford and S.A.E(oil lab) did a study back in the 70's and found running a gas engine at 190degF minimum temp helps keep oil temps up higher so oil stays cleaner for longer engine life, and it also gives better engine efficiency, i.e. better MPG.

Ford started using 192degF thermostats after that study.

Thermostat makers make 160, 180, 190, 200 degreeF thermostats, I think there is even a 205degF thermostat for the 2.3l Lima.

But as far as I know the 192degF is stock for the 2.3l, which would be a 90C(194F)


Yes Europeans get the good diesels and turbo-diesels in their rangers, 2.3l Lima would be a rarity over there