Hello fellow 2nd gen owners and enthusiasts. My name is Austin. I own a 95' 1500 4x4 with a 360 going on 320k miles. I purchased the truck a few years back and it's been a great truck. Originally purchased in Wisconsin and driven to Florida. Delores found her forever home. I've had the truck for about 20k of those miles and havent had many issues. I've changed air filter, oil breather, IAC valve, EGR valve, and temp sensor, and the oil (of course) thus far and I plan on continuing to refurbish the engine over time. I'm having an issue with my temp gauge. Works sometimes, but I'm sure it isnt reading correctly when it does work because it will read in the cold level. What components control that particular gauge? I could dig thru the site here and see what I can find eventually but I thought someone might be able to lead me in the right direction. Thanks in advance and I look forward to sharing my adventures with my Magnum.

 

A one wire sensor by the thermostat housinghond that's it. The sensor is a pain to get to

 

On my 96, the one wire sensor was next to the heater hose on the passenger side of the intake, and was very easy to get to. Have a look, and see what ya got.

 

The sensor would be the first thing I'd check. Make sure the connection is good and the wires isn't rubbed raw somewhere.If you replace the sensor and the wire is good, I'd look elsewhere. How many miles on the engine? Specifically, how many miles on the timing chain set? I worked on a '95 with the 3.9 V-6 (same engine minus 2 cylinders) that never really got hot. It stayed in the low range if it read at all.There was a lot of slap from the timing cover and when I replaced the timing chain, it warmed up to the middle of the gauge where it belongs and fuel mileage increased substantially. I'm not saying it IS your timing set, just that I'd check it.

 

The timing chain cover is my next project. I have been told that a common problem with the engine is that the timing chain cover gasket leaks and I don't see coolant leaking from any other area so time to check it. I'm not sure how many miles are on the set currently installed. The ticker reads 321,217 to be exact. The engine is strong and I've put around 21k of those miles on with no major issues or work being done. Even driving it from Wisconsin to Florida. It took me two days but the fact it made it really surprised me. The IAC valve and EGR valve fell victim to the long haul but it made it. I also changed out the Temp Sensor along the way thinking it would be a quick fix but the new sensor didnt fix the temp gauge issue. Slowly I will tear into the engine and see what condition all the internals are in. This truck has earned its space in my garage I purchased the Haynes manual and I'm going to follow it in my endeavors as well as information I find here.

 

Haynes is okay as long as you have some experience. I get them so I can have specifications at hand. If you're removing the timing cover, you have 95% of the job done already. Even if it's tight, I'd put a new timing set in. This way you KNOW when it was done.