Hi,
The temp gauge in my 2000 Explorer Limited (4L,SOCH) started creeping up to hot after driving a few miles. Once it hits the hot maximum the "check gauge" light comes on. The needle then moves down to about the 3/4 position between cold and hot and remains there. During this time the fancy center console display always shows the engine temperature is normal. At no time does the vehicle seem to actually be overheating.
I bought one of those self repair books and did some Internet searching and it seemed to point to a problem with one of 2 coolant temperature sensors (1 brown and 1 gray in color). I removed the brown sensor (of course it's the hardest one to remove) and verified the resistance was wrong (according to the book specs it should be 40k ohms at room temp but it was only about 4k ohms. (The gray sensor read the correct 40k). I went to an automotive store and bought a replacement sensor. The resistance on the sensor contacts was correct according to the book (40 kohms at room temp). The one thing that bothered me was the shape of the replacement sensor tip. It was cone shaped, while the original was more like a cylinder. I figured it was only the sensor tip, so maybe the shape didn't matter. I also bought and replaced the thermostat, since I had it all apart anyway.
My Problem.
Now that it's all back together the dash temp guage doesn't even move at all. It's like it isn't receiving anything from the sensor (open circuit?). I suppose it's possible there is a problem with a cable or connector, but what are the odds I had a bad sensor and cable? The original sensor appears bad according to the book, and the new one appears correct (according to the resistance specs anyway). But then again I have no real way of knowing if the book specs are correct and/or if the automotive place sold me the wrong sensor.
Now I'm at a loss what to do (besides take it to a dealership). It could be the dash gauge itself (not likely since I didn't go near it), wire, connector, or sensor. Does anyone recommend a first step? I hate to take it all apart again without some troubleshooting ideas to start with. Troubleshooting the actual cable seems like it might be a huge task since removing the instrument panel to get to the actual gauge seems to be a lot of work (the dash seems like it would be hard to open up). Replacing the cable also looks overwhelming. Thanks in advance.
The temp gauge in my 2000 Explorer Limited (4L,SOCH) started creeping up to hot after driving a few miles. Once it hits the hot maximum the "check gauge" light comes on. The needle then moves down to about the 3/4 position between cold and hot and remains there. During this time the fancy center console display always shows the engine temperature is normal. At no time does the vehicle seem to actually be overheating.
I bought one of those self repair books and did some Internet searching and it seemed to point to a problem with one of 2 coolant temperature sensors (1 brown and 1 gray in color). I removed the brown sensor (of course it's the hardest one to remove) and verified the resistance was wrong (according to the book specs it should be 40k ohms at room temp but it was only about 4k ohms. (The gray sensor read the correct 40k). I went to an automotive store and bought a replacement sensor. The resistance on the sensor contacts was correct according to the book (40 kohms at room temp). The one thing that bothered me was the shape of the replacement sensor tip. It was cone shaped, while the original was more like a cylinder. I figured it was only the sensor tip, so maybe the shape didn't matter. I also bought and replaced the thermostat, since I had it all apart anyway.
My Problem.
Now that it's all back together the dash temp guage doesn't even move at all. It's like it isn't receiving anything from the sensor (open circuit?). I suppose it's possible there is a problem with a cable or connector, but what are the odds I had a bad sensor and cable? The original sensor appears bad according to the book, and the new one appears correct (according to the resistance specs anyway). But then again I have no real way of knowing if the book specs are correct and/or if the automotive place sold me the wrong sensor.
Now I'm at a loss what to do (besides take it to a dealership). It could be the dash gauge itself (not likely since I didn't go near it), wire, connector, or sensor. Does anyone recommend a first step? I hate to take it all apart again without some troubleshooting ideas to start with. Troubleshooting the actual cable seems like it might be a huge task since removing the instrument panel to get to the actual gauge seems to be a lot of work (the dash seems like it would be hard to open up). Replacing the cable also looks overwhelming. Thanks in advance.
