Hi all.

I'm looking into installing a water temperature gauge on my truck. Nothing is wrong with my factory temp. gauge, other than it don't have numbers, which I like.

Is there anyway possible I can install a aftermarket water temp. gauge, and still keep the dash gauge functional? I've read about there being two sensors down there, one going to the gauge and one going to the ECM. But if I unplug the sensor going to the gauge it'l go dead and I still want it functional.

Is there any way around this or do I need to choose a different gauge?

Thanks!

 

Bump. I know this is an old thread but w/e. I have the same exact question.

 

Anyone?

 

I found an inline solution but decided against it because it cost about same as what my old Ranger was worth haha. Different brands and prices but something like this:

 

Wrecking yards have them, I think Volvos used them and BMWs for electric cooling fan use

If using it for a temp gauge then the smaller ones are better, installed on the heater hose that comes out of the intake or one closest to the thermostat housing, thats the OUT to heater core
Like this one: https://static.summitracing.com/glob...atm-2280_w.jpg
This DO NEED to be grounded for sender to work, as the rubber hose is NOT a good ground, lol

If for a cooling fan then use lower radiator hose, not upper, and just use a setting 20deg cooler, so if you want the fan to come on when upper engine is at 200deg then set ON temp at 180deg
Reason being the upper rad hose can run out of coolant if you have a leak so fan would go off when you need it the most
Temp senders don't read air temp very well, even HOT air