[helric1]

I recently replaced my thermostat and coolant temperature sensor on my 2002 ZX2. The temp gauge was fine after replacing the thermostat (2 sensors I bought from 2 different auto parts stores did not fit so I had to buy it from the dealer a few days later. Now after replacing the sensor, the temp gauge stays in the center position even when the car is off and cold. I even tried disconnecting the battery but that does not make it move. A Ford tech told me if it's unplugged, the gauge should pin one way or the other. It also goes slightly past center when the car is being driven, but seems to center again when the heat is on. Is the sensor bad? Wrong part? ( the box says sensor but my receipt says sender. But I know the sender screws into the engine. The sensor is held in with a clip) Any other ideas?

[mark v]

My guess is that you may have a bad guage and not a bad switch or you got the wrong switch to begin with. If you still have the old switches try putting them back in and see if anything changes.

Did you use any sealant on the treads of the switch? If you did maybe it isnt getting grounded correctly?

[Poppy]

IF you short the wire that goes to the guage it should go to hot, with an open circuit it may stay wherever it last was.

See this thread for more info.

Gas guage, oil pressure guage, fuel guage
gas guage? - Ford Bronco Zone Early Bronco Classic FullSize Broncos

[electro]

Originally Posted by Poppy

IF you short the wire that goes to the guage it should go to hot, with an open circuit it may stay wherever it last was.

However, aftermarket reference material suggests that the temp gauge sender is 2 wire. And it also suggest that the ECT is a 2 wire. Might use extra caution when testing/shorting.

Hmm, well now a look at the diagram suggests that sedan/coup would influence the pin configuration.