So tonight, I finally figured out why I had an OC for the temp. It came right on, and said 54 degrees. I turned the truck off and then back on. Then it said 56. Every time I did that it would raise 2 degrees. So I thought, ok maybe bad sensor. I have a spare. Did exactly the same thing. So either both of my underhood sensors are bad ( cant be) or I did something wrong with the wiring. Any ideas on what could be the problem? I really just want to know the direction and temp. MPG is way wrong on it anyway lol. Thanks, and sorry for the long write up.

 

Go download the FSM in the FAQ section. There is a calibration thing you have to do for the overhead console that may help you.

 

Ok, What does FSM mean?

 

Factory Service Manual.

 

Oh duh sorry, and thanks. That would also explain why it says I am getting 5.3 mpg. I know its bad, but not that bad.

 

Well it looks like you can calibrate direction and MPG, but I cannot find anything on Temp.

 

Ok update, I just went out and started it this morning, and it was correct. IDK why!? But it sitting off overnight fixed it lol

 

No 5.3 sounds about right.LOL did your truck come with OHD or did you get it from diff truck? And was the wiring up there? id like one not for direction cuz when i drive i know my direction and so does my truck which is direct to the parts store LOL. but for MPG and temp

 

hahah No I got my console from a Junkyard for $10. I ran all the wires myself (all wires and sensors were free) and I just figured it all out. And for some unknown reason this morning I went out and started it and bam, it was exaclty right? I have no Idea why, but im happy. And I have done the math, in reality I get 11.7 mpg lol with a 5.2L

 

The sensor's right by the radiator. When you turn off the truck, you turn off the fan and the radiator dissipates the heat thru the fins right next to that temp sensor unit and heats it up, hence the climbing temps. After the whole truck cools overnight the thermometer with read the ambient outdoor temp.

If you were to let the truck run longer or take a quick drive, the temps would stabilize. The same thing happens to me in the summer. My dark blue truck heats the thermostat up a bunch.