Temperature switch question.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
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
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 1
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
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
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)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
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
Likes: 3,118
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
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
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: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
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
