Hey guys, my '96 Ram fluctuates between 200 and 210 degrees. I replaced the thermostat with a 180, did the radiator, water pump, and the heads after they cracked. I also replaced both sensors by the thermostat housing on the intake. My scantool shows the ECT at 175 degrees. Should I be worried or not?

 

See your other thread. Now, it seems more likely to be your temp sensor. May the wiring to the sensor(s) got tweaked. IIRC, you have two temp sensors but I'm not sure if they are both right near the thermostat.

 

The 96 has 2 temp sensors. The single wire is for the gauge, the 2 wire sensor is for the computer. With my 97 it took 3 or 4 different sensors before I had one that read close... And it was still about 10 degrees to high.
If the gauge is consistent in it's movements with the actual temperature, and you're comfortable with it showing that high, you could just live with it. You would have to just remember that it's reading 25 or 30 degrees too high. It would be best to make sure the wiring is good, and try a different sensor though.

 

Yes both sensors are near the thermostat but only 1 is for the gauge. 1 sensor has 2 wires and the other has 1 wire. The 1-wire sensor controls the gauge. Either your sensor is bad or the wire is grounding out somewhere. I would suspect the sensor is going.

 

Thank you guys for all of your responses, both sensors are brand new BWD products from Advance. I am just skiddish about the temp especially after replacing my heads and the fact they are prone to cracking.

 

When you installed the sensors did you put tape around the threads? They ground through the intake so if you tape the threads you will get inaccurate readings.

 

No, I actually was going to second guess myself at the time and install thread tape but I did not. I do believe they both came with red thread tape already.

 

My new Napa sensor with a 195 thermostat reads 210. Changed thermostat , same result so it has to be that. I'm not sweating it, just made 210 my new norm. Took teflon tape off sensor threads and it didn't matter.

 

Good to know! Lots of great info on this forum. Thanks man.

 

after replacing the radiator, water pump, thermostat, gauge sensor (the old broke when I removed it) the temp gauge has run just above the 200 deg mark. replaced the thermostat and tem remained high. that was 25000 miles ago and I have just lived with it. 95 ram 5.9L