'96 Bronco Overheating??

[jokerman43]

I have a 1996 Bronco that has always run excellent! A few weeks ago it started to overheat out of nowhere. I have now replaced the thermostat, radiator and the coolant temp sensor. When I drive it the gauge on my dash shows the water temp in the red as if it is overeating but it isn't. I can drive it for a length of time with the AC at full blast and can touch my radiator cap and it isn't hot. Any ideas what can be causing this??

 

[Rons beast]

Hey Joker, welcome,

Sounds like you have a gauge /wireing problem.

If the temps were really as high as the gauge indicated, you would know it.

I think you may have an open to the gauge. Check the back wiring on the gauge cluster.

Good Luck

 

[miesk5]

yo jokerman43,

WELCOME!

As RON ADVISED;

Coolant Temperature Indication System

Description & Operation, Diagnosis & Testing, Removal & Installation, Disassembly & Assembly, Cleaning & Inspection, Specifications & Special Service Tools/Equipment in a 96 from 1996 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-Super Duty and Bronco Workshop Manual

engine coolant temperature indication system is a magnetic gauge system. It consists of a magnetic engine coolant temperature gauge mounted in the instrument cluster (10849) and an engine coolant temperature sender unit.

Instrument Cluster Temperature Gauge

The temperature gauge is a magnetic gauge movement consisting of three primary coils, one of which is wound at a 90-degree angle to the other two. The coils form a magnetic field which varies in direction according to the variable resistance of the engine coolant temperature sender unit. A primary magnet, to which a shaft and pointer are attached, rotates to align to this primary field, resulting in pointer position. The bobbin/coil assembly is pressed into a metal housing that has two holes for dial mounting. There is no adjustment, calibration or maintenance required for this gauge.

Coolant Temperature Always Reads Hot

Circuit.

Coolant sensor.

Temperature gauge.

Low coolant.

Engine.

GO to Pinpoint Test C.

But Ford uses a special Tester that has resistance built-in; a yard sender is a better bet or buy new sender.. check for corrosion in sender connector;

Pull the R/Wh wire straight off the sender & ground it to the block, intake, or head. Then turn the key to RUN. If the needle pegs, replace the sender

Check gauge calibration as follows:

Using a Rotunda Instrument Gauge System Tester 014-R1063 or equivalent, with the key in the OFF position, disconnect wiring connector at the sender and connect tester to wiring connector.

Set the tester to 74 ohms.

Turn the key to RUN, and wait 60 seconds. The gauge should indicate on the COLD graduation.

Set the tester to 9.7 ohms and wait 60 seconds. The gauge should indicate on the HOT graduation.

If engine coolant temperature gauge tests within calibration, replace engine coolant temperature sender.

If engine coolant temperature gauge still tests out of calibration, replace coolant temperature gauge.