Temp Gauge

[movielover1]

Quick question. I just noticed that my temp gauge moves just a little bit past the c mark. No mater how long the motor stays running. Any ideas?

 

[pooll]

me to

mine does that also on my 91 and my 94 i was told to try temp sending unit change thermastat or change the gauge but im not sure myself so anybody else know lol.

 

[Rustang©]

if your gauge does not go up there are a few possibilities;

some info on the gauge first; it is a ground-style gauge, it more or less just reads a higher temp as the ground at the sending unit is increased with temperature.

now for the ideas:

- you could have a bad ground
- your sending unit could be shot
- your wiring could be damaged
- your gauge could be shot as well
- or any combination of the listed...

These are some of my ideas. Hope they help, and please correct me if im wrong on anything.

 

[Mud Bug 94]

i know 4 people with explorers including myself, they all run cold.

 

[snoborder42]

Change the thermostat. Its cheap and easy. Are you getting any heat or does it blow just semi warm?

Mine used to do the same thing, the gauge barely moved and I had little or no heat. Changed the thermostat and now it runs like a champ.

 

[movielover1]

The heat works great, the gauge moves a tiny bit but thats it. I was thinking on change the thermostat sooner or later. Just bout 94 explorer limited bout 3 to 4 weeks ago for $400. It has 148827 on it so far I've changed the air filter, spark plugs, wires, and gave it an oil change. Everything looks like it's been on there since 1994. I have never seen such dark thick oil in my life. Slowly but surely I'm working on getting her fixed up.

 

[MNHawk]

It is normal for these to show low TEMP, more so if they have the CLUTCH FAN over the standard fan. Hence why if it ever over heats (goes into the red) you have just CRACKED YOUR HEADS due to it will reach over 300 degrees.

You can replace every part NEW and put in NEW GROUNDS and EXTRA GROUNDS and it will still read the same lower temp. Don't throw your money away replacing all these NON broken parts due to BAD ADVICE

 

[RedfordXLT]

I had the same issue and I replaced the thermostat and seal for a whole $6.00!!! It was a little bit of a pain in the arse to get to the third bolt. The gauge now goes between 1/4 and 1/2 and I get better heat... it isn't great, but better than cold to luke warm which is what I was getting before!

 

[mikeinri]

To a point in the original post:

My temp gauge seems to be pretty sensitive. I can watch the truck heat up, and can tell when the t-stat opens (temp drops, then slowly comes back up as the coolant in the motor mixes with the coolant in the radiator and they reach equilibrium).

This is how they are supposed to work. Are you seeing this on yours?

Granted, when running correctly, the gauge points very close to the C, even when warmed up and running for hours (I've also seen it go up when towing, with the A/C runnning, in 90+ degree weather, stopped in traffic, etc.).

But, it should NOT just go to C and stay there. That would be an indication that your t-stat is not working (stuck open, or not present: removed by previous owner). Even if it never goes above C, it needs to come up, go down, and come back up when the truck is started from cold. Otherwise, replace the t-stat.

BTW, if the t-stat is stuck open (or missing), and you don't replace the t-stat, you won't hurt anything, it will just take longer for the truck to warm up (which takes long enough on these beasts in NE winters.)

Mike

 

[n0c7]

Mine has always done the same as well. Replaced the thermostat and sending unit, no difference. Just stays a hair over the cold mark when running at normal temps. I get awesome heat in -30C weather. Don't know why.

 

[schmidlkofer]

i know 4 people with explorers including myself, they all run cold.

now you know 5 lol.

 

[n0c7]

Does anyones actually run in the middle where its supposed to?

 

[Jason94sport]

1- bad thermostat
2- bad temp sending unit(the large one at the front of the intake near the TS)
3- bad temp gauge sending unit.(the small one that goes to the gauge, also next to the TS)

 

[91explo]

I run cold as well....but i also need a new fan clutch because my fan is constantly running!

 

[n0c7]

I run cold as well....but i also need a new fan clutch because my fan is constantly running!

Mine runs all the time because its belt driven.

 

[n0c7]

1- bad thermostat
2- bad temp sending unit(the large one at the front of the intake near the TS)
3- bad temp gauge sending unit.(the small one that goes to the gauge, also next to the TS)

Any way to test the two sending units?

 

[91explo]

hmm i dont understand...your explorer should still have a fan clutch that engages the fan to run when your thermostat opens and closes. I think all first gens are "belt drivin fans"

 

[Fordmandan87]

me

Does anyones actually run in the middle where its supposed to?

irun in the middle yes all 1st gens have belt driven plastic fans its all dependant on your fan clutch if it works or not

 

[Fordmandan87]

Any way to test the two sending units?

find the ect sensor put a dvom on it and run the engine the reading should get higher or lower as it heates up

 

[L4CX]

Mine runs at about a 1/4 of the gauge all the time. It gets pretty warm though. I might have to check the Thermostat and all that stuff. Would this hinder Gas MIlage in anyway? If the engine takes longer to warm up then that would take longer for the O2 sensors to warm up right? if that's true. I need to get on that before winter kicks in up here.