1988 Ford F150 gauges not reading properly

1988 FORD F-150
128,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • MANUAL
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SWHITLOW72
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My 88 f150 has the factory gauges in the dash.The voltage gauge never moves,The temp gauge will show normal but engine will be overheating in the middle of the normal range,and the oil pressure gauge is all over the place.I was told that ford used a voltage reducer to operate these gauges.Could this be my problem and if so where is it located?
Thanks.
Dec 14, 2007 at 12:46 PM
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FLEXY5
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 512 POSTS
if you are making the reference that I believe you are, what you are refering to is called "VREF" (Voltage REFerence). It is a signal sent out to a majority of the sensors at 5 volts. It is regulated by the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) and is used to nullify voltage fluctuations from the alternator in a 12 volt system. It is intigrated into the computer and cannot be replaced without replacing the computer. However, I do not believe that you have all the information needed to warrant replacing the PCM. You need to take the vehicle someplace that can read the data that the computer is seeing. Your problem (in my opinion based on the current info) is in the instrument cluster.
Dec 14, 2007 at 6:18 PM
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