Help with temperature sensor or temperature gauge

[gte]

When my truck has sat and is completely cold, my temperature gauge will either read all the way hot when I turn the key to on without starting the car, or sometimes it will read all the way cold ... and if you then start it and count to 30, it will then peg the gauge to all the way hot.

The thermistor in the sensor was reading 3k ohms in an ambient outside temperature of 75F and the vehicle having not been started for a day. I unplugged it and the gauge read completely cold, I plugged it back in and the gauge read completely hot. I put a 1k resistor into the harness side of the plug and the gauge did not alter its needle location.

Has anyone ever tested this and can tell me the specs, or better yet post a manual that has this information so that I can properly test which component is not working and then compare it to the manual's specs?

Thanks

 

[bedrck46]

would be nice to know the year model and engine other than it a 1st gen

sent you a PM

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

If the sensor isn't an expensive component I would go ahead and replace it. I also have a copy of the service DVD but its packed away with most of my things right now so I couldn't get you the proper resistance for the sensor

 

[gte]

Good point, sorry. It is a 1997 5.4L auto 4wd