Thunderbird V8-4.6L VIN W (1997)
Temperature Gauge: Description and Operation
The engine coolant temperature indication system is a magnetic-type indicating system, which consists of:
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Engine coolant temperature gauge (located in instrument cluster).
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Water temperature indicator sender unit (located in intake manifold).
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LOW COOLANT warning indicator (located in instrument cluster).
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Circuitry.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
CAUTION: Do not remove gauge pointers, they cannot be recalibrated.
The engine coolant temperature gauge operates in the following manner:
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The water temperature indicator sender unit changes resistance according to the temperature of the engine coolant, which varies the current flow
through the engine coolant temperature gauge.
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The gauge pointer position varies proportionately to the current flow.
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Resistance is high when the engine coolant temperature is low, and low when the engine coolant temperature is high.
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The pointer of the magnetic engine coolant temperature gauge remains in position when ignition switch is turned to the OFF position.
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Pointer will move to the correct indication whenever the ignition switch is turned back to RUN position.
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Pointer may indicate at the top of the normal band with the engine coolant temperature within specification, under certain driving conditions such
as heavy traffic or stop-and-go driving in hot weather.