Engine Temp gauge fluctuations

[79jasper]

The cig lighter and 12v outlet are both constant. At least the ones I've been around are.
You could use the radio turn on wire, or I can get you a wire diagram to the ignition switch if you need it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[HS108]

at least for the lights you can run a line over from behind the passenger side kick panel, thats where the factory location is for clearence lights, I just used it to rerun power to my visor lights, works nice!

link to show what im talking about http://www.powerstrokenation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120102

I plan to run a larger gauge wire and tap into it for my gauges and visor lights when I install mine. Im still undecided on what I want to do for my keyed hot power source

 

[texcl]

Thanks for the link! Great info, I used to have a CD with all the wiring diagrams on it but my kids broke it in half some how. So if I'm running around 205 degrees (sort of a guess since the gauge isn't digital but is halfway between the 210 degree line and the un-numbered line before it, which I assume is 195 degrees. you guys think I should replace the thermostat at this point? I have to pull my 7k# trailer 160 miles friday. My motorcraft thermostat and gasket, should be here tuesday, hate cutting it so close.

 

[whiteboyslo]

So if I'm running around 205 degrees (sort of a guess since the gauge isn't digital but is halfway between the 210 degree line and the un-numbered line before it, which I assume is 195 degrees. you guys think I should replace the thermostat at this point? I have to pull my 7k# trailer 160 miles friday. My motorcraft thermostat and gasket, should be here tuesday, hate cutting it so close.

Tough to say. Any chance you can give it a bit of a workout before then and see what kind of temps you get? Probably fine, though.

Mike

 

[HS108]

Id say run it, just keep an eye on.

Sometimes those gauges are the best and worst thing, becuase now you know, before you could have ignorance bliss with the factory gauges and keep driving becuase everything looks good to me

 

[FORDF250HDXLT]

Thanks for the link! Great info, I used to have a CD with all the wiring diagrams on it but my kids broke it in half some how. So if I'm running around 205 degrees (sort of a guess since the gauge isn't digital but is halfway between the 210 degree line and the un-numbered line before it, which I assume is 195 degrees. you guys think I should replace the thermostat at this point? I have to pull my 7k# trailer 160 miles friday. My motorcraft thermostat and gasket, should be here tuesday, hate cutting it so close.

if she's running 195F - 215F then the t-stat is working properly.your good to go.just hold her back from 240F.otherwise run 'er like the medium duty work truck engine she is.

 

[LCAM-01XA]

^^^ what he said ^^^

I'm actually kinda annoyed that ours no longer reaches 210F, she got pretty decent MPG then. But I guess that's the price to pay for a HD fan that can actually keep up with the heat during long heavy pulls, she's now stuck at 195F when not under load and that's all she can do. Ah well...

 

[texcl]

I have a feeling my fan is failing, thought about installing an electic auxillary fan in front of the A/C condensor with an adjustable thermostat.

 

[FORDF250HDXLT]

^^^ what he said ^^^

I'm actually kinda annoyed that ours no longer reaches 210F, she got pretty decent MPG then. But I guess that's the price to pay for a HD fan that can actually keep up with the heat during long heavy pulls, she's now stuck at 195F when not under load and that's all she can do. Ah well...

nothing some grill inserts couldn't fix.better aero plus a touch higher engine temps as long as you don't block too much.two birds,one stone.log truck runs fairly cool as well but she gets so much work done at once and saves so much time that fuel economy isn't a concern at all with this one.........good thing i feel this way,since she sports 5.13's i guess.

 

[texcl]

Changed the thermostat yesterday, it had a stant in it. The stock temp gauge stopped fluctuating since the replacement but too early to tell how much of a difference it will really make. The new one is the correct motorcraft part. My drain **** wouldn't work, sure hated to waste all that expensive coolant.

 

[icanfixall]

Changed the thermostat yesterday, it had a stant in it. The stock temp gauge stopped fluctuating since the replacement but too early to tell how much of a difference it will really make. The new one is the correct motorcraft part. My drain **** wouldn't work, sure hated to waste all that expensive coolant.

Sure glad you changed the thermostat for a factory one. Way too many members come here and post this is how they bought there trucks and wonder why they have cooling issues. Maybe we should post a sticky telling all new owners to change the stats before anything else.

 

[KZF250]

Sure glad you changed the thermostat for a factory one. Way too many members come here and post this is how they bought there trucks and wonder why they have cooling issues. Maybe we should post a sticky telling all new owners to change the stats before anything else.

That probably would be a good idea to put that in the Tech Articles...I know I go thru those to see what little things I can do as I build on knowledge and confidence to work on my IDI.

 

[texcl]

It was pretty easy to boot since I had the serpentine belt. I just unhooked the battery then the alt, removed the belt from the alt, took out the 3 bolts holding the alt and fuel pump brackets removed them and unbolted the thermostat. The hardest part was removing the old dried up gasket. Only took 10 minutes to get to the thermostat.

 

[smithman]

I had this temp swing issue prior to rebuilding most of my truck. My gauge would bounce several letters within a minute.
After a switch to an aluminum radiator, new thermostat, new water pump, and new temp senders, my truck stays very constant. Can't say which one helped more but the cooling system works great now.

 

[texcl]

Drove it some more today, the swinging temp gauge is fixed and she runs quite a bit cooler