Coolant temp sensor?

Just replaced the t'stat and the temp gauge will move up between half way to hot then fall back to just under the half way area. This was going on before changing the t'stat. Can this be the temp. sensor, I did a search on this and found one that sounds like what is happening to mine. How hard is it to change? Autozone, NAPA have them or only Ford? Thanks

Sorry, but the van is a 96, 3.8

Looked up Wiswinds pics and found the 2 sensors. One is green just above the t'stat and the other gray one is towards the fire wall. He noted that these may be wrong? Autozone has both green and gray sensors, both refer to as the ECS. The water temp sensor (green) operates the gauge on the dash? Need some help to figure this out.

Looked up Wiswinds pics and found the 2 sensors. One is green just above the t'stat and the other gray one is towards the fire wall. He noted that these may be wrong? Autozone has both green and gray sensors, both refer to as the ECS. The water temp sensor (green) operates the gauge on the dash? Need some help to figure this out.


If you are concerned about the temp gauge input you need to look up Temp "sender" for your van on Autozone. The "sender" is what provides the input to the gauge while the "sensors" provide input to the computer.......

Licklog, Autozone has no "temp sender",they have 2 senors. P/N TU207 is green and is $6.99. The other is gray and is about $15. Both are under temp. sensors.????

Licklog, Autozone has no "temp sender",they have 2 senors. P/N TU207 is green and is $6.99. The other is gray and is about $15. Both are under temp. sensors.????


Give this link a try:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/accessories/accessoriesShelf.jsp?categoryDisplayName=Performan ce&fromType=accessories&fromString=search&parentId=cat30102&filterByKeyWord=temp+sender&currentPage=1&navValue=101439&categoryNValue=100008&fromWhere=&subPartId=prod62540&itemId=prod62540&displayName=Gauge+Sender

Or type this " Auto Meter / Autogage Electric Temperature Replacement Sender " in the search box.

It comes up as gauge sender in the header for some reason.....

Here is another link for you:

http://frugalmechanic.com/auto-parts/1996-ford-windstar/cooling-system-water-temperature-sender

If I remember correctly, the "sensors' have two leads and the "sender" has only one. When I last bought a sensor and sender for my truck I had a really hard time with the clerks at Autozone and Advance because their screens were only come up with "sensors"... I think whoever data entered their information was using the terms interchangeably. The part isn't very expensive so you might want to drop by or call your local dealer parts department for confirmation.

Licklog