Just got myself a 1994 Ford Ranger xl. When driving the temp gauge is 1 needle width inside the line that delineates the normal range on the cold side. Is this indicative of a stuck open thermostat or is this normal for older trucks?

 

Does the heater seem to be putting out plenty of heat ?

 

Welcome to the forum

Can't use "normal" in description as every year Ford changed that range

There is 1/4, 1/2, 3/4
When engine is fully warmed up temp gauge should be just under 1/2

Unless its a 2.3l 4cyl then between 1/4 and 1/2, so 1/3 or so, they have temp sender at rear of engine

An engine should warm up in 5 to 8minutes, so if its taking longer then yes thermostat is not closed all the way after engine is shut off

You can also start cold engine and open the hood
Feel upper rad hose and either heater hose, both will be COLD
let engine idle and wait 2 minutes
Feel both hoses again
Rad hose should still be COLD, heater hose ONLY should be warming up
If rad hose is warming up thermostat is open when it should be closed

Also shut the engine off after 2 minutes
Try to spin the fan with your hand
It should spin easily, unlocked
If its hard to spin then fan clutch is Locked, which can cause engine to run cooler

 

Yes heat feels normal. And it is a 2.3L I will take a closer look tomorrow but I believe 1/3 sounds right from what I saw.

 

Hey! I have been having the same problem, the only thing I know so far is that it isn't the gauge itself. Let us know when you figure out what the solution is! (Mine is probably 1/8th to 1/4 when the engine is warm)

 

Previous owner may have put in a 180deg Thermostat, correct is 190deg to 195deg, in the North some use 205deg for the 2.3l Limas, just to keep heater working

The Lima engines don't generate alot of heat and have a heavy block and head that dissipates it fairly well
In winter its not uncommon for owners to put cardboard in front of radiator to reduce air flow into the engine bay to keep temp up

 

Here is a picture of it during normal operation after about 10 minutes of driving. It stays there for the remainder of my driving.

 

Think on this, Ford in its infinite wisdom, replace idiot lights with idiot gauges... they turn on show normal, then when and if something happens, they show a bad condition.

They are no better than the old lights in the dash trip.

IF you are really interested in knowing what your engine is doing, consider a new set of aftermarket gauges.

Ltr

 

Is the heater blowing HOT HOT air?

If not then gauge is correct and most likely issue would be broken thermostat, when t-stats fail they are SUPPOSE to fail open, a "fail safe" mode, doesn't always happen that way though, lol

If heater is blowing HOT(not just warm), then I would replace temp SENDER on the engine, as the gauge is wrong, it should be touching the blue lines either at 1/3 or just under 1/2 on the gauge