Thermostat or Temp Sensor

[JayTye4k]

I think I may have found the cause of my rough idle. I noticed that the temperature gauge of my explorer intermittantly bounces around when my car starts to give me idle problems at a stop. It stays all the way down by the C and then erradically bounces toward the middle then back to the C. DOes it sound like I should replace the thermostat or the temp sensor? Also, are they both simple things to do?

 

[stubborn1]

I would replace the thermostat first since it's easy to do and cheap. Where is the needle normally on the temp gauge?

The temp sensor reading can bounce around like you are seeing if you are low on coolant. Be sure to check the level in the radiator and not just in the plastic reservoir. Sometimes the line between the two can get clogged and you don't even know you are low on coolant.

 

[JayTye4k]

How?

The coolant levels are all fine. I checked that this weekend. The needle stays close to the C anytime I drive, which is unusal as all of my previous vehicles had the needle at about the halfway mark. Do you know where I can find instructions on replacing the thermostat/and or sensor?

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Jay, here's an AutoZone link:
Dead Link Removed
My gauge would also stay on the cool side, and the engine had a faster than normal idle. A new thermostat cured it. I would suggest a Stant as a replacement; the (German made) Motorcrafts don't seem to be as reliable as they should be.