1996 Other Ford Models Temperature gauge not moving/very lit

KARAYZ

MEMBER
1996 FORD
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
97,000 MILES

I've had the thermostat replaced once already and it solved the problem for a while but it then went back to the usual - never reading above the "cold" line, it doesn't even go into the "normal". I have just done a oil filter & oil change and for some reason it started reading correctly! It only lasted a short while but now it has gone back to it's old ways. Any advice?

Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 AT 4:13 PM

2 Replies

BLACKOP555

MECHANIC
10,386 POSTS

Sounds like you may have a bad coolant temp sending unit or a bad temp guage, try to remove the sending unit and heat it up with a hair dryer while attached to the wire to the guage and see if the temp guage moves if not the sending unit is probably defective or you have a short in the wire.

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Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 AT 9:00 PM

KARAYZ

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Yea, I've read around your forums and I've had a look at the sending unit to see if I can do these tests but it's such a hassle to get to! It's blocked by the coollant pipes something wicked so I'll have to devote an afternoon to doing the job. My car's known as the Ford Contour (it's Mondeo here in New Zealand) if that's any help.

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Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 AT 10:03 PM