non functioning temp gauge

[sabo_neal]

The temp gauge in my 97 mountaineer has gone numb. it never registers any temp. I have grounded the sending wire and all it does is light up the "check gauge" light. the dealer want $275 for the gauge panel. are the gauge seperate, so if i find a used temp gauge that i can just replace the faulty one?

 

[redman]

Is it just your temperature gauge? If so, check your heat. If it takes a while for you heater to produce hot air, then your thermostat is probably the problem. I just went through this in my 92 X. When the thermostat is stuck open it will cause the temp gauge to read very low temps. and it will take the heater about 30 minutes to warm up. A new thermostat is only about $10 and is not too hard to replace.

 

[sabo_neal]

I have replaced my themostat to no avail. I get plenty of heat of of the vents.

 

[ChewieM16]

the sender is probably shot. i know on my 94, Aid Auto wanted about $20 for a new one when mine went. i just bought an electrical Autometer UltraLite gauge instead. i highly recommend getting a better gauge than the silly dummy ones - at least itl be more accurate and reliable.

-mike

 

[sabo_neal]

I have had the ford garage and a independent mech tell me it is the gauge it self. I have tested the sender and it checks out.

 

[gard_mc]

Temp Gauge

I have the same problem with my 96 X temp gauge. I took it to an specialty shop for auto electronics, they told me this is a fairly common problem. I also couldn't find it for less than around $250, not including labor! I ended up running a guage from Auto Zone into my console. I have two opening in it, I took a piece of dark tinted plexiglass and cut it to fit one opening then mounted the guage to it. If I ever get rich , I have a handy spot right beside of it for a turbo boost gauge!

One weird thing, occasionally the needle on the temp gauge will move from dead to barely registering though.