Tempature Gauge Indicator Problem???

[95explorer150K]

Update!!!!

Ok guys here is a list of parts replaced:

Water Pump
Radiator Cap
Upper and Lower Radiator Hoses
Coolant Temperature Sending Unit

What else can this possibly be? I am going to replace the actual gauge this friday. I am so clueless when this happens. The gauge was pegged to hot on the way home from the mechanics and also on the the thirty minute drive to work. Then when I get to work it goes back to normal. WTF? Anyone have any other ideas? I have spent so much money on this car. Driving me nuts. WOW!!! I did not know cars can do that.

 

[chico]

What about the thermostat???? Have you had it running while your cap was off to see how well the coolent is flowing?

 

[Billy177]

well there are 2 coolant temp sensors one for the ecm and the other for the gauge. which one did you replace?

 

[95explorer150K]

I have replaced the one for the gauge. Why would it be the one for the ecm? I mean I have changed all key components and have made sure that the coolant is flowing fine. I have been driving the car with the gauge like this for a couple days now and the car drives fine. The motor is cooling fine. I have yet to see the problem with the gauge be fixed. I am wondering do I have to replace the whole dash or can I just replace the one gauge. Also the thermostat has been replaced twice. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

 

[95explorer150K]

Well guys I have been driving the X and the gauge is stock at hot for good. When I start it up in the morning. The gauge never starts out at the bottom. It always starts about quarter of the way up and then goes all the way to H when it gets hot. Keep in the mind that the motor is cold. I have been driving it for a couple days and it is still doing the same thing. I think the gauge is bad from what I gather. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

 

[agzaretzka]

Don't these sensors work by creating a variable resistance to ground? So if the connecting wire is shorting to ground somewhere, the gauge would be stuck on high?

 

[95explorer150K]

Another Update

Well I went out to start my X during lunch and went to put it in drive and the gauge shoots all the way down to cold. UGHHH what to do ? Who knows? It could be grounding out or it could be the gauge. I am confused now. I will keep you guys updated as I find new things to say. I am working on it Friday night so who knows what I will find. Thanks.

 

[95explorer150K]

I am looking on line and it looks like there is a Coolant Temperature Sending Unit which is the Switch and also a Coolant Temperature Sensor. I replaced the Sending not the sensor. Should I replace the other one too? Or is the right interpretation of all these parts. Thanks.

 

[95explorer150K]

refer to this link if you want to see my spuddering problem:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1078605#post1078605

UGHHH LOL!! Someone fix this for me. Sorry releaving stress.

 

[95explorer150K]

Update!!!

Well I took the X to my mechanic becuase for some unkown reason on my way home from work the gauge pegged at H again. So I drove the car out there and he took the cluster out and tested the coolant temp wiring and eveything tested ok across the board at 28.8 ohms. So I went to the junkyard this past weekend and picked up a used cluster for 50 bucks. So we will see if it is the gauge or not. Wish me luck. I am taking it the mechanic this week. Thanks guys. Any ideas or help let me know.

 

[95explorer150K]

Update number ??????

I had the gauge replaced from a cluster from what I thought was an identical cluster but it seems they are all different. All the '95 and '96 clusters are different. So I just took the gauge out and replaced. Damn so confusing. I do not know what to think with this damn car. It is such a headache now. Any Ideas? Thanks.