The Ford Barn

Tom F OHIO · 08-31-2025, 08:06 AM

I have a 52 customline and the temp gauge is stuck on the H. I drove it around the block a few times yesterday and it didn't move. Could the gauge itself be bad or would cleaning the senders help any. Can anyone help me on this. Thanks....

mcgarrett · 08-31-2025, 08:18 AM

Easy stuff first - try cleaning and reinstalling the senders first. No Teflon tape or thread sealant.

19Fordy · 08-31-2025, 12:39 PM

Yes, simple things first. Then read every word about TEMPERATURE SENDERS HERE:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/searc...rchid=57553553

TRY THIS:
Disconnect the 2 wires that attach to the 2 pole temp sending unit on the drivers side head. Then, connect the wire from the single pole temp sender unit directly to the wire that comes from the gauge. If the gauge gives you a reading, the 2 pole temp sending unit is faulty.

The 2 pole temp sending unit acts as a switch and is most often the culprit.

Tom F OHIO · 08-31-2025, 03:41 PM

I took both of the sending units out and cleaned them up and put all back together and wires on and it still stayed on the hot. Then I did what 19 Fordy said to do, and the gauge went down to the cold. Thanks to both of you guys for responding. Now that I know the unit with the two wires is bad. If I look on ebay for an original what do I ask for, double temp sending unit switch for a v8 flat head?? Is there a part number or anything.

mcgarrett · 08-31-2025, 03:45 PM

Here you go...

https://thirdgenauto.com/product/new...original-type/

Tom F OHIO · 08-31-2025, 04:01 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thank you.

19Fordy · 09-01-2025, 10:55 AM

Tom: It has been reported that the after market temp sending units look good but are of inferior quality compared to the OEM FORD units. When I had the same problem as you, I bought an OEM FORD unit off ebay. Expensive bnecause they are becoming rarer but, worth it as it's the genuine original and will work for years . See what they look like from the inside out below.
Look here:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...852.m570.l1313

JayChicago · 09-01-2025, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Tom: It has been reported that the after market temp sending units look good but are of inferior quality compared to the OEM FORD units.

That is true, but he is not replacing the sending unit. He is replacing the switch, the two-wire unit on the driver's side. It is a simple switch that opens when engine temp gets excessive, and during normal operating conditions is just a pass-thru to the actual sender on the passenger side. I think the modern simple switch will work OK.

Tom F OHIO · 09-01-2025, 12:21 PM

You just can't beat this forum. Thanks guys for all the help. Tom ..

mfirth · 09-01-2025, 03:29 PM

You're right Tom, EVERYONE here is GR8, sure helped me over the years !

08-31-2025, 08:06 AM	#1
Tom F OHIO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 690	Temperature Gauge I have a 52 customline and the temp gauge is stuck on the H. I drove it around the block a few times yesterday and it didn't move. Could the gauge itself be bad or would cleaning the senders help any. Can anyone help me on this. Thanks....

08-31-2025, 08:18 AM	#2
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Corsicana, Texas Posts: 1,551	Re: Temperature Gauge Easy stuff first - try cleaning and reinstalling the senders first. No Teflon tape or thread sealant.

08-31-2025, 12:39 PM	#3
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,916	Re: Temperature Gauge Yes, simple things first. Then read every word about TEMPERATURE SENDERS HERE: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/searc...rchid=57553553 TRY THIS: Disconnect the 2 wires that attach to the 2 pole temp sending unit on the drivers side head. Then, connect the wire from the single pole temp sender unit directly to the wire that comes from the gauge. If the gauge gives you a reading, the 2 pole temp sending unit is faulty. The 2 pole temp sending unit acts as a switch and is most often the culprit.

08-31-2025, 03:41 PM	#4
Tom F OHIO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 690	Re: Temperature Gauge I took both of the sending units out and cleaned them up and put all back together and wires on and it still stayed on the hot. Then I did what 19 Fordy said to do, and the gauge went down to the cold. Thanks to both of you guys for responding. Now that I know the unit with the two wires is bad. If I look on ebay for an original what do I ask for, double temp sending unit switch for a v8 flat head?? Is there a part number or anything.

08-31-2025, 03:45 PM	#5
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Corsicana, Texas Posts: 1,551	Re: Temperature Gauge Here you go... https://thirdgenauto.com/product/new...original-type/

08-31-2025, 04:01 PM	#6
Tom F OHIO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 690	Re: Temperature Gauge Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thank you.

09-01-2025, 12:21 PM	#9
Tom F OHIO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 690	Re: Temperature Gauge You just can't beat this forum. Thanks guys for all the help. Tom ..

09-01-2025, 03:29 PM	#10
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 1,165	Re: Temperature Gauge You're right Tom, EVERYONE here is GR8, sure helped me over the years !