Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting ZETEC Temperature - Need Input !!

I need input from you guys......
I have a 96 GL 2.0 5 speed.
Basically I would like to know what temperature should I read in my gauge in normal
city traffic. My goes all the way up to "L" then the fan kicks on and it
drops to "M". It is strange !!!! I am afraid of overheating !!!

I was very terrified about that at first. I know overheating is very damaging.
I first changed the TST. It didn't help. I then changed the temperature sensor
that goes in the TST housing. It still overheats. My mechanic said that my FAN
is kicking on very late. How many temperature sensors this ZETEC engine has ??
He told me there must be another one. I don't know ?? Is there another one ???

I've been turning the defrost / AC whenever I am driving in traffic, to avoid
overheating. When I do that, the fan kicks on and the temperature drops to "R"
or below that. That makes me believe is the FAN sensor problem ( agree ?? )

Any help with temperature sensors / FAN sensors ????
Where should my gauge read in normal city traffic ??
Has anyone passed through that ???

Hi guys,,,, any input is VERY WELCOME !!!

I want to hear from you guys...

Thanks in advance !!!!!!!!!!

BB

bvborges@juno.com

I'm afraid I can't give you any answers, but I'm in the same camp. Mine does very similar things. Everytime I think it's going to overheat, the fan kicks in and saves the day...weird

Hi Davis..

Thanks for the reply !!!

Didn't you try to fix the problem ??
Change temperature sensor ???

I don't like my car doing that... I cannot go to a drive thru !!! If I stop my car the temperature goes all the way to "L" and then finally (and late, I believe) the fan Kicks on !!!!

Anyway... just want to collect few inputs and comments !!

thanks Dave !!!

You are just living with it ??

My Zetec's temp guage tends to stay nailed at a spot just a bit to the right of center.

('96 GL ATX)

My 96 gl zetec does the same thing.....needle normally sits between the a and the l............

Mine stays between the A and the L as well, with little change unless it's incredibly cold out. I was told by the dealer it was normal, and 5 years and 92k miles later, it's fine.

Same here. That's why I haven't really done anything to it except keep a close eye on it.

I'm in the same boat as Paul. I honestly think something is different about my Zetec. Ever since changing to synthetic oil last summer it has never gone past the half way point on the temp gauge. Actually, once warm it tends to sit just BELOW the half way mark. I've even tried to make it run hot but it never seems to budge. I'm not complaining, I love it. I just wish everyone else didn't have the problems. I have no idea what it could be.

Check the archives....perfectly normal. Ford even knows about it.

John

As long as you stay out of the red, have your rad flushed at least every 2 years. There is even a product called "water wetter". I have never tried it, but a couple guys here have tried with a some success. Keep us updated if you do find a better solution.

Oh ya, there was also a post in the zetec forum about a different tempt thermistat!

Hope this helps!