So i have had my license for a little over a week and i have been driving my truck alot. I average about 11mpg now and thats not good. I realize that my truck is running really rich i can always smell gas in my exhaust and if i rev it up it will puff out black smoke. I had a thread a cpl weeks ago about my ECT i replaced it with a duralast and my gauge does not work still. I am stil getting 5.2 volts at the plug and the Check Engine Light for Temp sensor high input. Any help would be great.

Your truck uses the same sensor for the PCM, and the temp gauge. Check with your local auto parts store, and see if their scanner can read data.... see what temp the PCM really thinks the engine is running at.

I called around and they only have regular scanners.

Take it to them. A "regular" scanner should work. Let us know what code(s) you see.

Also, has your plenum been checked/fixed? If not, your upstream O2 sensor has probably gone on vacation. This could cause it to run rich.

My step dad has one i am seeing po118 and thats it. They do not have a scanner that can produce anything other than codes.

Yes. Some will raed live data, like temp, rpm, O2 readings, etc. They cost more. I could a Snap On MTG 2550 on e-bay and love it. All kinds of data.

When i get a little more money i will be buying one. but i have to get this prob. fixed damn 11mpg is not very good i want around 13-14 at least. Im still in hihg school so i can only really work on weekends unless i take scrap metal after school. I fixed alot of serious problems with this truck and it seems the littlest things are the worst of them all.....

Need to know what the problem is before you can fix it. If the PCM is indeed getting 'wrong' data, then the problem is going to be the sensor, the wiring, or the PCM itself. First step is: IS the pcm getting correct data?

Rechecked the codes still just po118. I checked the connector with the key turned off... i got 0 volts on black wire obviously and i got 5.5 volts on tan and black wire..... This is with the key turned OFF dont know if it makes a difference

There shouldn't be any power at the tan/black wire with the ignition off...... that's the power feed FROM the PCM..... Real curious how that is happening.....