Temperature switch question.
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Navigator
Joined: Jan 2012
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Temperature switch question.
I have a 1972 LS 5. On the drivers side between the 1st and 3rd cylinder spark plug, appears to be a temeprature switch. Since my temperature guage doesn't work and nothing is hooked up to the apprent switch, what does hook up to it? There is a wire with a female plug that extends from the alternator wiring harness, is this the wire that hooks up to the temperature switch? Thank you.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: New Albany IN
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'06-'08-'09
the wire connects to the male end of the temperature sensor in the block as you described. As stated, I think its green and may even have a heat sheathing around it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
That temp sensor/sender should have just one pin on it. On the right hand cylinder head, between cyl #6 & #8 is the TCS temp switch which has two 'spade' pins. This is part of the TCS system and is used to turn that system ON or OFF depending on engine temp. (OFF if temp too low or too high; ON if in the normal operating range between those two OFF temps)
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Thread Starter
Navigator
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The 454 has two TCS ports, one on the drivers side and one on the passenger side....for whatever reason. The one on the passenger side does have two prongs for a female hook up but the drivers side, on my engine anyway, doesn't have that. I looked at the one on the drivers side again and the center of the TCS plug is missing so that probably is the single port hook up. I am going to get another one....I will also look at the Wilcox site for the testing procedures mentioned. Thanks all for your help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
For whatever reason, someone may have switched those sensors in the past. The temp gauge sensor wire is dark green [as mentioned above] and should be part of the alternator wiring harness. The sensor wire should have a single 'female' bayonet connector that would slide onto the [round] pin on the temp sender mounted between cyl #1 & #3.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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The 454 has two TCS ports, one on the drivers side and one on the passenger side....for whatever reason. The one on the passenger side does have two prongs for a female hook up but the drivers side, on my engine anyway, doesn't have that. I looked at the one on the drivers side again and the center of the TCS plug is missing so that probably is the single port hook up.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,280
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I wouldn't say.... "2 TCS ports".
The sending unit in the left head is for the temperature gauge only.
The sending unit in the right hand head is part of the 72 TCS, and is a thermal switch with 3 positions:
1: engine cold; not up to operating temperatures.
2: engine with-in normal operating temperatures.
3: engine is above normal operating temperatures.
The only way I learned this was by studying up on the CEC and TCS systems in order to get mine to function. A REAL puzzle!
Regards,
Alan
I wouldn't say.... "2 TCS ports".
The sending unit in the left head is for the temperature gauge only.
The sending unit in the right hand head is part of the 72 TCS, and is a thermal switch with 3 positions:
1: engine cold; not up to operating temperatures.
2: engine with-in normal operating temperatures.
3: engine is above normal operating temperatures.
The only way I learned this was by studying up on the CEC and TCS systems in order to get mine to function. A REAL puzzle!
Regards,
Alan
