Temperature Gauge fluctuating

96shiestyranger4x4 · #1 03-07-2015, 07:18 PM

Ok Sorry if this thread has been posted before but i need to figure this out. SO today i bought a 1996 Ranger 4x4 off Craigslist, the truck ran great only thing i noticed was that the temperature was below the half way mark. I drove the truck back up to Jacksonville at the end of the trip i noticed that the temperature gauge was almost on the C, when i got off my exit and was stopped at the light i noticed that the gauge was climbing almost to the hot mark. When my light turned green the temp gauge leveled out but was fluctuating. I was thinking about replacing the thermostat, radiator, upper and lower hose and getting a new temp gauge direct, or order a new instrument cluster. Any advice or suggestions will help.

djfllmn · #2 03-07-2015, 07:23 PM

Start with thermostat and hoses with a full flush of the cooling system. The cluster very rarely fails

ponder · #3 03-08-2015, 03:47 AM

more than likely you have air trapped in the system. you will need to "burp" the cooling system. you might want to try that before investing any money into parts. you will need to perform that procedure anyway if you put those parts in.