My ford explorer temp gauge stopped working properly after new radiator was installed

Asked by Roderick Jan 13, 2020 at 12:13 AM about the 1998 Ford Explorer 2 Dr Sport 4WD SUV

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My ford explorer was alternating between normal and almost to hot every
few minutes . When I bought it to the shop, dumb me did not know it was low
on coolant cause it did not leak and the overflow wasn't losing much water.
the gauge WAS WORKING when I brought it in . the guy put in a new
radiator told me the old one had a leak on the top seam.  $400 later, the
gauge for the temperature immediately on my dash now runs cold, barely
getting up to the C on the gauge.   car runs fine but he said oh well now you
need a new gauge. the guy put it on the machine and said everything was
working. Well how can that be right? the gauge does move slightly as it
heats up but stays @ C  I grounded the temp sensor  and turned it on but it
didn't go to H ...heater works too... I also got all the air from the water
system  I drive the car short distances ,but check the fluid each time before
getting into car which is becoming a real pain. would a sensor go bad that
quick? it never got real hot.... Any ideas?  Thanks in advance! Anna

2 Answers
26,255

taver91 answered 4 years ago

If you are only going short distances, maybe the gauge is working but your thermostat is stuck open and allowing continuous circulation of the coolant - even when it is cold. Does your engine get up to a normal temp after it has run for about 10 minutes?

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Roderick answered 4 years ago

no it stays very close to C .... moves slightly higher with AC turned on ... heater seems to work relatively quickly

Mark helpful

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