temperature gauge

1997 FORD PROBE
150,000 MILES • 2.0L • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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BOB MAGENNIS
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  • 1 POST
Temperature gauge on instrument panel not moving at all. Thermostat seems to be okay (in working condition). Manual does not have information on gauges. Need help in troubleshooting this problem.
Jul 2, 2017 at 2:06 PM
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CARADIODOC
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 34,321 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
There are two coolant temperature sensors. The one for the dash gauge has just one wire, a black/blue wire. Unplug that wire, then ground it to a paint-free place on the engine. Turn the ignition switch on, and the temperature gauge should go to full hot. If it does, check that connector for corrosion. On the 2.0L engine, that sensor is on the top left side.

Temperature sensors have an extremely low failure rate because there is just one part inside them. More problems are caused by wiring and connector terminal problems. If grounding its connector does not make the gauge read "hot", there is a break in that wire or there is a problem with the gauge.
Jul 2, 2017 at 9:26 PM
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