Thinking
02-12-2024, 02:42 PM
Now an XLT in Colorado
..."the temperature idiot-gauge... is most likely why mine showed "alls well," and then shot up incredibly fast, giving NO warning of impending overheating, which ruins the heads from chronic overheating."
This now goes WAY beyond being sold a phony gauge. 🤬
Their idiot gauge does not let you see the temp is rising, as it rises. There is no forewarning. All of a sudden it goes from normal to almost maximum, in a period of a very very few seconds.
EDIT: it's essentially digital. Normal and Maximum.
That ruined my engine. A re build attempt probably would have found the warped heads it is reputed to create.
This now goes WAY beyond being sold a phony gauge. 🤬
Their idiot gauge does not let you see the temp is rising, as it rises. There is no forewarning. All of a sudden it goes from normal to almost maximum, in a period of a very very few seconds.
EDIT: it's essentially digital. Normal and Maximum.
That ruined my engine. A re build attempt probably would have found the warped heads it is reputed to create.
Here's a curious kicker. The 0-80 psi sensor was used until perhaps a decade ago. This begs the question, why the change to 0-100 psi? Either some rigs need it and it's cheaper to make just one part, or, in the "Mo's better," american way, 0-100 is just an arbitrary bigger number to "look hotter." Like a pseudo-gauge looks hotter, and noone's the wiser. Penny wise, pound foolish. It bears repeating... 🤬
Last edited by OhioLariat; 02-12-2024 at 02:44 PM.
The following users liked this post:
BillSF9c (02-12-2024)
02-12-2024, 02:56 PM
Senior Member
02-12-2024, 03:31 PM
Senior Member
I'm upset, that Ford's scrimping on [not just the oil and Vdc Bat gauge,] the TEMP Gauge. You have no way to know the temp is rising, the WHOLE.PURPOSE of a gauge for "pro" or fully engaged operators of a motor vehicle.
The gauge reads normal, until it skyrockets to critical.
In one instance on a freeway, watching it, I.started to pull over at the furst indication. No steam or poor operation was detected. The gauge skyrocketed. By the time I could pull over, across 2-3 lanes, and pop the hood, leaving it running, I slowly added 3 of its possible 4 gallons.
It's not;
Ok, Hmm Notice this, Look out, Joe you're F-D.
It's:
Ok, Okay, Still Ok, Uh - Joe it's really really BAD.
No in-between unless you have an almost high speed video camera... And then, you only see it in review. It goes from ok to Way Late in a matter of single digit seconds.
I USED to blame it on what I though was a poorly, (too low?) located water temp sensor. I thought only the oil was a idiot-gauge. I know of no other vehicle with a water temp idiot-gauge.
I am not bashing the 0-100 psi option, though it seems a tad much at the top end, for a truck, which typically will be more operates in the torque range, as opposed to the higher rpm HP range, (Harley's maybe excepted.) Indeed, Mark, the mfr'g engr of these, as much as suggested the same. Maybe the 0-100 fits a Mustang's use. (These modules are made for both, in our respective generational truck/car years.) The 0-80 is just not mentioned as much, so few seek it out, but which would have greater resolution.
02-12-2024, 03:37 PM
Senior Member
02-12-2024, 03:52 PM
Senior Member
I'm content with not knowing a thing about it... 
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white89gt (02-13-2024)
02-12-2024, 04:46 PM
Senior Member
02-12-2024, 04:59 PM
Senior Member
What ever you guys are talking about.
02-12-2024, 05:13 PM
Senior Member
Headin to the kids for dinner 
The following 2 users liked this post by Jbrew:
OhioLariat (02-12-2024),
white89gt (02-13-2024)
02-12-2024, 05:38 PM
Now an XLT in Colorado
You must have a different temp gauge than mine, Bill. The one on my '99 and in this' 03 start dead at the bottom and rise to a normal range as I drive. If I'm paying attention (usually only when doing coolant changes/flushes) I can even see the temp drop when the t-stat opens.
The one in my '95 Mustang behaves the same, and since I've added the blower, I can see temps start rising toward the "H" mark during spirited drives up the pass in hot weather.
In no vehicle above have I seen the temp gauge needle "jump" from normal to "H" or above.
The only thing lacking in my opinion, in either case, is numbers on the gauge. Ford and other manufacturers got rid of them way back when because customers would freak out if the reading wasn't "just so," so they made the change to a "normal" range for the needle.
In your example, with so much coolant gone, the sensor was dry and had nothing to read. It started reading higher as it should, then you had a catestrophic problem, and the gauge reacted as best it could. The only thing that would have averted damage in that case is a head-temperature sensor/warning.
The one in my '95 Mustang behaves the same, and since I've added the blower, I can see temps start rising toward the "H" mark during spirited drives up the pass in hot weather.
In no vehicle above have I seen the temp gauge needle "jump" from normal to "H" or above.
The only thing lacking in my opinion, in either case, is numbers on the gauge. Ford and other manufacturers got rid of them way back when because customers would freak out if the reading wasn't "just so," so they made the change to a "normal" range for the needle.
In your example, with so much coolant gone, the sensor was dry and had nothing to read. It started reading higher as it should, then you had a catestrophic problem, and the gauge reacted as best it could. The only thing that would have averted damage in that case is a head-temperature sensor/warning.
Last edited by OhioLariat; 02-12-2024 at 05:44 PM.
02-12-2024, 05:45 PM
Senior Member
My 01 reads accurately on the low side. It had a sticking t-stat when i bought,.and thats how I knew - it wasn't warming up all the way on the gauge.