Hey guys and girls this is my first post so im counting on you, The problem is my dads escort ever since replacing the clutch hes had a problem with the temp gauge flying up into the red and the battery light coming on. so far we have checked and cleaned all earths, replaced battery and alternator, replaced thermostat sensors top and bottom, radiator hose sensor, checked fuses im running out of ideas and its been off the road two weeks now. Could it be temp sender? or a fusebox fault? the fan works but is not kicking in when it should also the sensors work great when first replaced and battery light goes out, but by the second time you start car its blown (i think) and its back to square 1. any help i would be most greatful for. cheers

 

sounds like theres been a wire damaged somewhere along the line when the gearbox was off for the clutch to be replaced. id inspect everything from the bulkhead forward and see if you can see the issue obviously, then start looking at getting a multimeter on it and testing wires etc when the problem starts.

 

does sound like damaged wiring maybe shorting it out.

As suggested check all the wiring to see if anything is damaged.

 

Just an update, two auto electricians later 1 claiming a fault with the temp sensor wire but unable to trace any breakages, the next guy claims its not an electrical fault at all but an air lock in the coolant so il give that a try, duz anyone know where i can find the temp sender? its on the wiring diagram in my haynes manual but i have no idea where it is! is it on the fuse box or behind the speedo?

 

There are two temp senders, one for the gauge, the other for the ecu.
Have a look around the top of the gearbox, some have the main starter cable attached here, and other wires are often carried here too, there should be a metal s shaped clip holding the cable, as it follows a series of three sharp turns, these can wear through.
tabetha

 

thanks iv have another look after work

 

another update, all the wires have been checked by a 3rd auto electricain! said it could be that my coolant sensor isnt a genuine ford one so it might not read? my only other thoughts are it could be a faulty gauge but it does read depending if engine turn on or started. im thinking maybe a faulty thermostat? maybe this is whats causing fan to not cut in or temp gauge not to read accurate?