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temperature gauge

Hello,

I'm a newbie here, and just bought a 1983 T-bird with the 302 V8. I was surprised to see it does not have a water temperature gauge or even an idiot light. I don't think I've ever seen a car without one. I scoured the owners manual and it appears it never came with one, nor did any of the '83s. Has anyone installed an aftermarket gauge, and where on the engine would you plumb in the sensor?

temperature gauge

Reply #1
I would think there would be a warning light somewhere. Do you have the buttstuffog or digital cluster?  As far as a sending unit, there should be a sensor near the front of the intake manifold.
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport


temperature gauge

Reply #3
jandmmustangs,

I have the digital.

temperature gauge

Reply #4
Ill look at my 84 tomorrow and see if that has a temp gauge/warning light. Ill snap a pic of the sending unit for ya too
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport

temperature gauge

Reply #5
On the 84 it is the red "engine" light.
It indicates low oil pressure or over heating coolant.

temperature gauge

Reply #6
x2. same as my 88 crown vic wagon.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

temperature gauge

Reply #7
Quote from: softtouch;424341
On the 84 it is the red "engine" light.
It indicates low oil pressure or over heating coolant.


Thanks. I think it is different on the '83. According to the owners manual, the red engine light is for oil pressure only.

temperature gauge

Reply #8
and here I thought that engine light was the Check Engine light. I was like, how do 83 & 84's have a CEL, but my 85 doesn't??
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.

temperature gauge

Reply #9
Quote from: softtouch;424341
On the 84 it is the red "engine" light.
It indicates low oil pressure or over heating coolant.

I can't openly discount this. However, my 84 has a "check oil" light in the center of the dash. No coolant lights at all.

Here's a pic of the temp sending unit for the OP. it's on the drivers front of the engine.
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport

temperature gauge

Reply #10
Quote from: jandmmustangs;424359
I can't openly discount this. However, my 84 has a "check oil" light in the center of the dash. No coolant lights at all.

Your "check oil" light means check the oil level. There is an oil level sensor on the oil pan. It is part of an optional group of diagnostic warning lights called " system sentry".

84 EVTM diagram:

temperature gauge

Reply #11
my crown vic had a check engine light that flashed when pulling codes, and then an engine light when it overheated.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

temperature gauge

Reply #12
I just got the shop manuals today. The "check engine" light IS for both oil pressure and temperature. The owners manual mentioned only oil pressure. Thanks to all who replied.

 

temperature gauge

Reply #13
Quote from: softtouch;424389
Your "check oil" light means check the oil level. There is an oil level sensor on the oil pan. It is part of an optional group of diagnostic warning lights called " system sentry".

84 EVTM diagram:

Thanks for the insight. Ya learn something new everyday
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport