tempature gauge always reading hot?

Question

my temperature gauge was reading 260 so i relpaced the thermostate and sending unit, gauge worked for a week, now it reads 260 with switch on or off. i unplugged the sending unit, still at 260, turn on switch and it goes a litter higher than 260 with a cold engine. not loosing water or running hot,what do i do to fix it.

Answer 1

sounds like a grounding problem with the gauge. check that the gauge is grounded properly to the body of the car. bad grounding can cause electric gauges to fluctuate, or peak.

Answer 2

Always check the coolant level when the engine is stone cold. The radiator must be filled to the very top. The white plastic coolant recovery reservoir should be filled at least 3/4 full right after the radiator is checked. Next, you should have an inexpensive *cooling system pressure test done to find the reason the system has been loosing coolant. Ford V-6 engines have more than their share of head-gasket leaking problems. If the cooling system pressure test is OK you're way overdue to have the cooling system drained, flushed and cleaned. If you or someone else has ever mixed any other brand of chemical type of antifreeze with the factory installed Ford coolant the system will be full of sludge and mud. This is why the cooling system needs to be chemically cleaned after draining and flushing. Now is the time for a new Ford thermostat and pressure cap.

Answer 3

like u side the motor is not runing hot right?
and u replaced the sending unit and the thermostate
could it be the gauge is going bad? hope this helps

Answer 4

Don't know what make or model you have but you are describing classic signs of a failed dash unit.

Good Luck

Answer 5

check the hoses, you may have a leak. Or the cars computer has malfunctioned.

Answer 6

It could also be a bad heater core or a hose going bad.