Temp gauges swapped?

CGflightmech

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Hello, I have a 2005 F250 6.0L, that has had extensive work done over the years, much of it was done before I owned the truck, and I have spent years making my own upgrades and correcting things that were done wrong by the previous owner. This leads to my current problem I am trying to solve;

For as long as I have owned the truck, the two factory temperature gauges in the cluster have been swapped. When started and let sit to warm up, the trans temp gauge comes up to temp, indicating engine temperate. The Engine temp gauge doesn't come up at all until i start driving.

I don't think its a problem inside the cluster itself, but other than at the sensors, are there any plugs under the dash that could mistakenly be swapped?
Any advise is welcome. Thanks.
 

bismic1

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These dash gauges are SEVERELY dampened in their response/indication.

Just some fyi type stuff:

Operation of the engine temperature gauge (coolant temperature):
When the gauge rises off of C to the lowest mark of the "normal range", the coolant temp is apprx 140 to 142 *F
When the gauge rises 1/4 of the way up the "normal range", the coolant temp is apprx 160 *F.
When the gauge rises 1/2 of the way up the "normal range", the coolant temp is apprx 170 *F.
From there it generally stays there until it moves quickly to red at about 240 degrees.

Transmission temp gauge:
The panel gauge will show the temp as fully warmed up at 50 *F
Between 100-220F the needle will remain in the same position on the gauge.
At 230F it will move up slightly to the middle of the normal range.
At approximately 250F it will move to Yellow.
The gauge moves to red at around 280.
This is supported on page 36 of the OBDII Theory and Operations manual. The tow/haul light will flash at 275.

EDIT: I guess I am posting this because I am not convinced that the sensors can even be swapped in the electrical circuits.
 
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bismic1

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A scan tool that pulls the PCM data would be HIGHLY helpful. With it you can see what is actually going on with the sensors.

Torque Pro on a smartphone is a good tool for pulling (and watching) PCM data (PIDs). It is a pretty good tool for pulling codes as well.

IMO ForScan on a laptop is best, but that isn't all that feasible to use as a tool to watch PIDs while you are "daily driving". ForScan Lite is available for smartphone download.

All of these tools require a good (not a "clone") OBDII adapter (the type you need will depend on the device you are using).
 
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CGflightmech

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A scan tool that pulls the PCM data would be HIGHLY helpful. With it you can see what is actually going on with the sensors.

Torque Pro on a smartphone is a good tool for pulling (and watching) PCM data (PIDs). It is a pretty good tool for pulling codes as well.

IMO ForScan on a laptop is best, but that isn't all that feasible to use as a tool to watch PIDs while you are "daily driving". ForScan Lite is available for smartphone download.

All of these tools require a good (not a "clone") OBDII adapter (the type you need will depend on the device you are using).

Great information, really appreciate it! I am already running a 4 gauge pillar, including a stand-alone transmission temp gauge, so its easy to monitor. I will look into acquiring or borrowing a scan tool to check things out. Looking for information on how to easily swap the eng temp/trans temp signals back to their proper gauges in the dash.
 

bismic1

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I would disconnect one of the two sensors at the connector on the sensor itself and see which gauge changed just to verify your suspicions. I am not yet convinced that they are swapped (or even that they can be).

The coolant sensor may be the easiest to get to.
 
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