Temperature Sensor/Gauge

[Caman96]

So what is everyone’s interpretation of this reading?

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[kennythewelder]

So what is everyone’s interpretation of this reading?

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Well, the red needle, says HOT. But your yellow mark, is about where my truck runs. I had a 180° thermostat in my truck. I can watch mine, get up to just a little past the 200 mark, before the thermostat opens, but as soon as it opens, tye needle drops to where you have the yellow mark, and it will stay there, no matter what. I have electric fans, swapped from the OE clutch fan. Now to answer your question, that's about 175, 180 ish. Keep in mind though, the OE gauges, are not real accurate.

 

[Caman96]

Keep in mind though, the OE gauges, are not real accurate.

That was my question in my initial post and was exactly what I was thinking.
The picture you mentioned is from east302(post #6), my needle NEVER goes that high. Only goes up to where he marked the yellow. So, you feel that yellow mark indicates 180°?

 

[east302]

So what is everyone’s interpretation of this reading?

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…somewhere in the normal range, lol. To me, it’s not really a gauge since you cannot readily interpret a number on it.

Ford, like @AuroraGirl mentioned, sort of gave up any pretense of accuracy with their gauges.

The oil pressure gauge, by comparison, appears to show an actual value since the tick marks are incremental.

 

[df2x4]

FWIW, both of my '97s sit about where the yellow mark in the picture is all the time once they're warmed up. Maybe just slightly higher, but the needle would be touching that mark somewhere for sure. 4.3 and 5.7L respectively, stock 195 degree thermostats in both.

 

[Caman96]

stock 195 degree thermostats in both.

Yup, that’s what I got. Again, I was leaning towards the gauge reading low. I hear on this forum often how these engines need to run at temperature, as most do, but how many have actually verified? Of course if it’s running hot you’d know and if running too cool I suppose you’d eventually notice.

 

[smdk2500]

My 95 6.5 runs at the yellow mark you have on the pic east posted. When I'm at that temp and hook up a scanner it shows 190-195. Been a while since I've had my other 95 running and a scanner hooked up to it. IIRC it reads a line or 2 higher at 195. Both have 195 t-stats. Im going to guess if it ever gets to the 210 mark might want to start worrying.

 

[454cid]

So what is everyone’s interpretation of this reading?

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Low for my 454, but both the 350s I've been around ran about there. My 454 runs closer to the 210 mark about where I'd expect it to be for the high 190s where the pcm indicates its running.

 

[stutaeng]

That's normal for my 00 K3500 too. I thought I had replied to this thread or another similar one?

Also, on my truck speedometer reads like 7 mph slow at 70. I've thought about "calibrating" the needle to the correct location while driving. My ECU both show accurate speed and coolant temperature.

Has anyone thought about doing the same for the temperature needle? Popping it out and dropping it in the middle or close to 7/16 position, depending on what thermostat you have?

 

[Caman96]

My mph is accurate now that I have 265’s. It came with 245’s but when BlackBear had ECM I had them calibrate it for 265/75/16’s.