Hey all. A friend's son has a 03 stock ranger. 4 cylinder, 5 speed. When the temp control knob is turned from cold to hot, it causes the temp guage to read above hot. The trucks true temp doesn't seem to change, just the gauge reading. If temp knob is moved back to cold, the gauge returns to normal. Any ideas?? Thanks !!!
If the cooling system has never been serviced (flush & fill) I'd say its time to do that and replace the thermostat. If the temperature doesn't go too far below freezing, a 180F stat (195F stat is stock) may be a better way to keep temps in check. Normally with the heat setting on high and the fan setting on high the engine temp will lower slightly due to the cooling of outside air passing through the heater core and blowing into the cabin. Worst case is that the blend door is not aligned properly (it's vacuum actuated), which can be a major job to repair...but I'd stick with the coolant service and T-stat change.
Thanks 360. I don't think that's the problem. Turning the temp control knob causes the temp gauge to spike (grounding). You can turn the knob from cold to hot as many times as you like, the gauge will just keep spiking. If the knob is kept on the cold side, the gauge reads fine from cold start-up to normal running temp. The temp of the engine doesn't change, just the gauge reading.
You were closer to the problem than I was 360 !!! It was an air pocket in the cooling system. Didn't have to replace anything, just burped it like a big baby LOL. All is working like a champ now. Thanks for posting and helping me out!! Happy New Year!!
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