High Idle and faulty Temp Gauge on 2002 Explorer 4.6L

[02Eddie]

Hi Everyone,
I have a 2002 explorer 4.6L V8, i noticed that it has very high rpms at idle , it idles around 1,500 rpm. sometimes jumps to 3000 rpm when hot and in park. If i turn the car off, its very difficult to get it restarted, i have to give it full trottle and even then i barely starts, then followed by a large cloud of black smoke. While driving the idle is still high, i don't even need to press the gas pedal for city driving
I noticed the temp gauge was not working at all around the same time these problems started. it doesn't show any codes or warning lights. Can anyone tell me what might be the problem, or at least where the temp sensor is to see if its maybe unplugged.

 

[albi1cnobi1]

You may be running hotter than normal. If the computer thinks the engine temp is too high it will idle it up in an attempt to draw more air through the radiator. You stated your temp gauge is not working, I would check the sending units to start with.

 

[02Eddie]

Update: Today after about a month of driving with this issue, the explorer threw a code, P1289 , Cylinder temp sensor, high circuit. and today it took 30 minutes to get it re-started after about 20 minutes of driving. Anyone know where this temp sensor is located? or how to test if its faulty?

 

[kelvin37]

did you ever get this fixed? im having all sorts of issues now that sound just like yours, with trans issues. i have replaces my cylinder head temp sensor, and TPS . i found that the CHT,MAF,TPS,torque converter all work off the same circut. please let me know if and how this got fixed.