1995 engine...where is the temperature gauge sending unit located?

Cantankerous · 2025-09-19T00:41:44-0400

Yesterday my temperature gauge went crazy on me...turned key on(cold engine) and the temp gauge pegged to max hot. Drove a few miles and it was jumping all over the range. Coolant is full, fan working, heater works, engine is not overheating. I am guessing it is the sending unit or wire shorting out somewhere.

Today I started it up and while cold in park, I noticed when i opened the door, the gauge went to cold but when i swung the door to almost close (without hitting the cab light switch), it pegged to extreme heat, did this about 5 times and same thing.

I wiggled the wire cluster going to the door but that did not affect the gauge.. I hate electrical gremlins but the truck has around 320 K miles on it so wiring may be shorting out somewhere . Figured i would start by buying a new sending unit (about $20 on Amazon) but I can't see it up front anywhere. Anyone know where i can find this critter? Thanks

9297oldram · 2025-09-19T06:46:07-0400

If it was mine i'd just put a aftermarket gauge in it, but it kinda sounds like maybe a ground issue.

The temp sender is on the left side of the cyl head at the back.

Walker111 · 2025-09-19T07:25:02-0400

Driver side rear like 9297 said

GAmes · 2025-09-19T08:16:46-0400

Cantankerous · 2025-09-19T10:21:22-0400

Hey guys, Thanks for that info.

Destroked 450 · 2025-09-21T10:51:41-0400

Check and clean the engine to body ground strap

Cantankerous · 2025-09-21T12:30:14-0400

Thanks for the extra tip. There was a lot of oil splattered over the engine from a dip stick leak at the top which stopped when I got a new dipstick with the tight rubber seal.

Cantankerous · 2025-09-21T21:06:54-0400

Today I thought I would check out that sensor but I can't even see it at the back of the engine, let alone see if wires are loose/worn/grounding or attempt to remove it. I might be able to see it if I removed the fuel filter and looks impossible to reach from coming up underneath the truck..

I was going to have my mechanic look for it but he got bitten by a Black Widow spider and his hand is so swollen he can not even bend his fingers.

As much as I love this engine (only work done was front end seal and 2 starters with 320 K miles on it (smokes a little on startup probably valve stems ) I get so irritated at any vehicle manufacturer who just can't seem to engineer engine placement where a mechanic can easily get to all parts that need periodic replacements.

I read once that there was a car where you had to jack up the engine to replace some normal service part like the oil filter but sure that is an urban myth.

BTW, could anyone point me in the right direction where the grounding strap is between the engine and the body like Destroked 450 suggested I look at.

Thanks

jross036 · 2025-09-22T01:52:00-0400

Not a myth. Newer Ford diesels need the cab lifted off to work on their engines.

Cantankerous · 2025-09-22T02:10:31-0400

That is insanity. I heard a GM vehicle needed the engine jacked up off the mounts for an oil filter...thought that was a joke but it might be true also... Wonder how Ford got the ad slogan of "Ford has a better idea"....Methinks that must not have been one of them...

1995 engine...where is the temperature gauge sending unit located?

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