1999 Toyota 4-Runner Water Temperature Sender; Where is it?

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Eric - 25 Jul 2006 02:25 GMT

My 1999 Toyota 4-Runner (3.4L V6) now has just over 100,000 miles
on it. The check engine light has come on for the first time. I have
noticed over the past couple of months that the Temperature Gauge has
been 'jumping'. Sometimes the needle is steady, sometimes it drops
from warm to cold and sometimes it twitches, as if there is a short in
the wire. I'm guessing the Water Temperature Sender is going bad, but
I can't find it on the engine. I bought the Hanes manual, and it
helped me locate the ECT (Engine Coolant Temperature) Sensor. But
that sensor does NOT control the gauge. The Water Temp Sensor is
sending that 'fluctuating' singal to my gauge and it's never mentioned
in the Hanes manual.

Can someone PLEASE help me locate that elusive Water Temperature
Sender?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Eric
eric.laprad@earthlink.net

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Paul. - 26 Jul 2006 16:55 GMT

With a jumping temperature gauge, I would replace the thermostat. Jumping
usually indicates that the thermostat is binding while opening / closing.
With 100,000 miles on the truck it's time for a new one. I recommend the
Toyota OEM.

Paul.

> My 1999 Toyota 4-Runner (3.4L V6) now has just over 100,000 miles
> on it. The check engine light has come on for the first time. I have
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Eric
> eric.laprad@earthlink.net

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Eric - 27 Jul 2006 12:07 GMT

Paul -

I hear your logic, and it makes sense if the guage were somewhat
steady, and suddenly pops up or down. But I can't see the thermostat
opening and closing so quickly that the guage would sometimes twitch or
flutter up and down. I will replace the thermostat anyway, just to
rule it out as well as it's probably time anyway, but I would like to
try to replace the $8 sender also. It's cheap enough too. If I could
only find it.

Also, thanks for the pdf manuals.

Eric

> With a jumping temperature gauge, I would replace the thermostat. Jumping
> usually indicates that the thermostat is binding while opening / closing.
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> > Eric
> > eric.laprad@earthlink.net

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