Engine Temp LIght

[woody58]

My engine temp light just came on but the temp gage is still in the normal range but near Hot , is this the thermostat? or something else. when i squeeze the top radiator hose i can hear the thermostat making a clicking noise. can anybody help

 

[Andylad13]

How did you isolate the light coming on for the temp? When my light came on, the red "engine" lamp illuminated, but my temp was way passed the "l" in normal. If it came on and you weren't hot, maybe it came on for another reason. Check the OBDI code.

 

[91f2504x4]

How did you isolate the light coming on for the temp? When my light came on, the red "engine" lamp illuminated, but my temp was way passed the "l" in normal. If it came on and you weren't hot, maybe it came on for another reason. Check the OBDI code.

I am not sure he will have a code on an 86.

 

[Devilish]

No codes available because no obd system in pre powerstroke trucks

 

[woody58]

the engine temp light i am talking about is in the cluster of glow plugs and water in the fuel lights if i unplug the censor right next to the thermostat the light is still on

 

[Exekiel69]

Get a real water temp gauge install it try to duplicate the conditions in which it came on before and You'll see what the problem is if You really have one. Could be a # of things, bad tstat, dirty radiator, etc.

OBD I don't think You'll find that here

 

[LCAM-01XA]

Get a real water temp gauge install it try to duplicate the conditions in which it came on before and You'll see what the problem is if You really have one. Could be a # of things, bad tstat, dirty radiator, etc.

Or that just the wire for his idiot light has rubbed through its insulation and now is grounding on the head triggering the light - remember folks, we have two temperature senders on these things, so one dashboard indicator going nuts don't necessarily mean the engine is indeed cooking. Now when both the gauge and the light show red, then yeah, you're pretty much screwed, lol.

the engine temp light i am talking about is in the cluster of glow plugs and water in the fuel lights if i unplug the censor right next to the thermostat the light is still on

The temperature sender next to the thermostat actually has nothing to do with your gauges and lights, instead it controls the high-idle and cold-advance solenoids at the injection pump. The temperature senders you need to look at are around the front of the driver's side head - one is on the outboard side right next to the exhaust manifold, and the other is on the inboard side of the head.

 

[Agnem]

Your best hope is that the wire has shorted. The sensor in question is on the drivers side head near the front of the valve cover, lower side. The 86' would have a IVR. The dreaded instrument voltage regulator which often fails. The gauges in your truck are ornamental and should not be counted on for any real information. Get youself a full set of ISSPro gauges and hope like hell that you really didn't overheat it.

 

[LCAM-01XA]

Mel, what does the IVR do, and does my '90 have that?

 

[Andylad13]

I am not sure he will have a code on an 86.

Oh yeah, I didn't read the sig.

No codes available because no obd system in pre powerstroke trucks

There most certainly is, my truck is 1989 and I have OBDI.

 

[woody58]

mel the temp light didnt come till got home, since then i've started the truck several times and it only takes a few minutes till the light comes on where is the best place to get iss pro gages do you know about what they cost thank you

 

[Devilish]

Oh yeah, I didn't read the sig.



There most certainly is, my truck is 1989 and I have OBDI.

So you have a plug under the dash that you can plug a scan tool into and you can monitor your mixture, engine temps, rpms and engine codes through the tool? I have an 87,89,90,and 91 and I can't do that with any of those.
Maybe you have gasser wiring in the truck ?

 

[woody58]

i do not know i havnt looked under the dash

 

[Alex S]

Oh yeah, I didn't read the sig.



There most certainly is, my truck is 1989 and I have OBDI.

ummmm well what are you pulling codes from? its defenetly not the engine

i know my 91 has no electronic engine controls

 

[Andylad13]

So you have a plug under the dash that you can plug a scan tool into and you can monitor your mixture, engine temps, rpms and engine codes through the tool? I have an 87,89,90,and 91 and I can't do that with any of those.
Maybe you have gasser wiring in the truck ?

No, no, no. What you are talking about is OBDII, you can plug in the scanner under the dash. I have OBDI, there is a connector next to the factory radiator overflow container next to a few relays on the wheel well.