Temp gauge pegged to hot

[SonicIce]

My temperature gauge is stuck on the hot side way off the scale. It stays there even with the key out and sitting for hours. It never overheated, I think the gauge or some sensor broke. Is there anything I can check? It is a 1995 ford contour v6

 

[Vette73]

Pull the harness off the temp switch and see if the gauge moves.

Is the check enigne light on?

 

[LTC8K6]

Probably a bad sensor for the gauge. I believe that's still a one wire connection on that car.

 

[LTC8K6]

My 1995 Taurus has a two wire sensor for the computer and a one wire sensor for the gauge.

 

[SonicIce]

CEL has been on for years but this just happened yesterday. i think im in over my head

 

[LTC8K6]

The sensor is cheap. Just replace it and see if the problem goes away.

Auto Zone's site will have pics and instructions. Just register and enter your vehicle.

 

[A5]

CEL has been on for years but this just happened yesterday. i think im in over my head

Sigh. When the CEL comes on, at least go to Autozone or whatever and have them read the code. It's probably just a bad sensor, but they can tell you exactly what it is and what the part costs.

 

[bobdole369]

My vehicle had 2 separate Coolant Temperature Sensors. One for the gauge, and one for the PCM, kinda odd that. The one for the gauge went bad and randomly quickly spiked to HOT or COLD then randomly worked. It was really weird, I suspect a broken wire or element.

 

[SonicIce]

Sigh. When the CEL comes on, at least go to Autozone or whatever and have them read the code. It's probably just a bad sensor, but they can tell you exactly what it is and what the part costs.

i wish. autozone can't check 1995 and older cars equipped with OBD I.

anyway, i unplugged the temperature gauge sender wire and the gauge went down so i think the sender unit shorted out so ill replace it.

 

[Twista]

i wish. autozone can't check 1995 and older cars equipped with OBD I.

anyway, i unplugged the temperature gauge sender wire and the gauge went down so i think the sender unit shorted out so ill replace it.

You serious? I never knew that. I know some 1995 mustangs are semi OBD II but not fully. I havent took my 1995 for a free CEL check so i cant answer for sure

 

[LTC8K6]

i wish. autozone can't check 1995 and older cars equipped with OBD I.

anyway, i unplugged the temperature gauge sender wire and the gauge went down so i think the sender unit shorted out so ill replace it.

For ODB1 you can get the code by yourself. If you follow the procedure, the check engine light will flash the code for you. It's widely available online.

Good, that's a cheap fix for you.

If your gauge stayed at the bottom of the scale, the way to check it would be to pull the wire off the sensor and ground it. That should drive the gauge to max.

 

[Vette73]

^

Not for ford. Ford you need a cheap little tool to plug in. get one from eBay.

GM and Chrysler it is easy and works from the dash light flashing.

 

[LTC8K6]

^

Not for ford. Ford you need a cheap little tool to plug in. get one from eBay.

GM and Chrysler it is easy and works from the dash light flashing.

Nope. You just need a jumper wire.

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/mod...le=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=83

 

[A5]

i wish. autozone can't check 1995 and older cars equipped with OBD I.

anyway, i unplugged the temperature gauge sender wire and the gauge went down so i think the sender unit shorted out so ill replace it.

Huh. Did not know that - my bad.