Temp gauge & heaters not working

[ScottyC]

Evening all,

My wife has just informed me that her 1997 Explorer has no reading on the temp gauge doesn't work/move and the heaters don't blow warm air, just cold. Being British and new to the USA i have no idea about American cars, i have a average knowledge of cars ect. i did thought it might be the thermometer but after reading a few posts on various websites im thinking its something else. Ive checked the coolant level and its fine.

Any help is greatly appreciated

ScottyC

 

[ccm2001]

Thermostat is stuck open.

 

[chefduane]

+1 ^. Common problem for those symptoms.

PS: Welcome to the Colonies!!

 

[crunchie_frog]

Hi ScottyC,

Welcome to Columbia SC! I am in Lexington and if you ever need a hand with your Explorer, give me a shout. Also, most anything that can happen with an Explorer has been "explored" on this forum. What you will find here in Columbia is a great Pull-A-Part (nicely organized, all gravel junkyard) on Monticello Rd off I-20 with a large rotating stock of 2nd generation Explorers.

Also, it does sound like your thermostat is stuck open.

 

[masospaghetti]

^ Check your thermostat, easy / cheap. Although even with a bad thermostat you should get SOME heat out of the vents.

Not uncommon for the temperature sender to go bad, which would disable your temperature gauge. The sender is a single-pin unit and drives the gauge only, the computer uses a separate sensor.

I suspect your heater blend door may be broken and stuck on cold. Here is a good tutorial on it:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214332

Looks scary but isn't too bad to do. Some of the screws are hard to access but otherwise its patience with a hot knife.

 

[ScottyC]

Many thanks for all your great advise.

I did sucsessfuly replace the thermostat, the old one was in pieces when i got it out Im lucky it didnt do any major damage. Dropping the rightside bolt did hinder me a little as i failed to find it, so a quick trip to NAPA to purchase a replacememt for 52 cents was required. But its all done now and the Temp guage work and the heaters are blowing warm air :fire:


Thanks agian to all and Crunchie_Frog i will be in touch if we get any more problems.

Scott