Temp Gauge

[n0c7]

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"

I will have to check, last time I checked it was running all the time.

 

[mikeinri]

Just to clarify this for you, all stock Gen 1 Explorers work this way...

The plastic fan is connected to a clutch, which is connected to the water pump pulley. The belt drives the water pump pulley constantly. This in turn drives the fan, but the action is dampened by the clutch.

Basically, when you're moving (such as on the highway), the air coming across the front of the fan will speed it up, so the clutch is needed. When you slow down (or stop), the fan needs to be driven by the motor to cool the engine.

So, unless someone made a modification, your truck has a plastic fan with a clutch. I'm not aware of any direct-drive fans (without a clutch).

I'm quite sure that the fan should always be running when you could actually check for that (meaning, you're stopped and standing outside the truck with the motor running). If the fan is running with the engine off, you could have an electric fan, but that would be an aftermarket modification.

Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[n0c7]

mikeinri, it runs constantly at a stop while the engine is on. What you described sounds bang on. I don't think I have a fan issue, I think its a sending unit or the gauge itself. I get plenty of heat in the winter months. I replaced the thermostat just to be sure.

 

[mikeinri]

So, you replaced the t-stat, and your gauge always reads low? It doesn't warm up, then go back down when the t-stat opens? That seems very odd to me.

What does the gauge do when you turn the engine off and let it sit overnight? Does it stay in the same place where it's running, or does it go all the way to the left?

If it's not moving at all, and you've replaced the sending unit, I'd replace the gauge, or at a minimum, take a voltmeter to the leads as watch it as the truck warms up. If you're not seeing a voltage change, either the new sending unit is bad, or you have a wiring issue.

Mike

 

[bullinerfamily]

i had the same problem, until i replaced the temperature guage sensor, it is the smaller of the two sensors and costs about 5.00 i think. my guage just started reading on C all the time, took it to the shop and they just said the temperature is correct but the guage is wrong. so i just took a guess and replaced both sensors and now it goes right to the middle of the guage.