augh help!

[silent h]

I have a 1995 ford ranger that I've had for about 4 years now, and have never had any real problems with it besides normal wear and tear, and the electronic craziness that the 95's are know for (wiper, check engine light, door ajar etc.) Today after about 2 miles of driving I looked down and saw my temperature gauge was past the red line and I flipped. I've never seen that before. I turned around and took it home and checked under the hood. There was enough oil and water, the air filter could stand to be replaced but I also flushed the radiator just in case, the water was looking a little brown but nothing seemed wrong under the hood, the engine wasn't even that hot.

So even now, 3 hours later the gauge still rest at the red line, when it normally rest below the range of cold when off (when I turn it on the gauge bounces around a little but when I'm driving its outside of the gauge range of hot) I normally keep a close eye on the temperature gauge especially when it comes time for an oil change, and have not noticed anything unusual with it before today.

Is there something severely wrong with my truck or is it just another 95 quark? I had read that the 95's temperature gauge is prone to reading lower or erratic, could that be it? I hadn't been able to find anything particularly like this but I would definitely consider that erratic!

[splashiod]

I don't know about it being eratic but I fighting just the opposite on my 95. My gauge will not get to operating temp. I'm thinking the thermostat is stuck open, so I'm replacing it tonight. Hopefully it solves it, if not I will check sending units, there's 2 - 1 for gauge - 1 for computer. I'm also fighting a problem with it holding rpms for about 5 seconds when I push in the clutch to shift. I can't find a vacuum leak causing it either, so I'm thinking the temp sending unit is telling the computer to dump in more gas because engine is cold????? Good Luck with your problem! I'll let you know what solves mine.

[2000mudder]

start with the sensor and the wires to the temp sensor.this is most likely your problem

[chaser29]

Replace the thermastat-$2.00 Could be that it is fried open or shut. Had the same problem on my 99.
Clean your filter or get a new one. Take the intake off and clean that as well. There couls be some build up inside, which could as well contribute to the problem.
http://members.cardomain.com/12311974
This site might help as well:
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php

[Bulldog Brewer]

More than likely your temp. sensor. If it was yor thermostat, you would know it by now!
Good luck.